THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is in favour of cancelling the driving licence of those caught for drunk driving, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told the Assembly on Tuesday.
“A decision to cancel the licence of such drivers has been taken earlier. We can do that (cancel the licence) through an executive order,’’ Thiruvanchoor said in response to CPM’s G Sudhakaran’s query on whether the government was willing to cancel the licences of erring drivers.
The Opposition had demanded an adjournment motion on the issue of increasing number of road accidents in the state.
Thiruvanchoor said that drunk driving was a major reason for accidents in the state. Alcometers, which can detect the alcohol content if the driver just speaks, have also been procured, he said. The government has also procured 11 interceptors and are planning to increase its number to 20, the Transport Minister said.
Elamaram Kareeem of the CPM said that licences should not be cancelled without inquiring into the actual cause of the accident. ‘’Drivers include not only professional drivers but lakhs of others.
Cancellation of licences should be done only in a judicious manner,’’ he said.
Thiruvanchoor responded saying that licences are issued for safe driving and not for driving in a reckless manner. “Strict action should be taken if the drivers are found guilty,’’ he said.