Next time you get into the driver’s seat after gulping down a few drinks, there is a good chance that your licence will get a punch mark.

And when you get three punch marks, the licence will be revoked.

The increase in the number of drunken driving cases and other traffic violations has forced the motor vehicles department to come up with a new system where the licence of the driver will be punched for every offence and the cumulative three punch marks could lead to revocation of the licence.

“Warnings and slapping fines have so far not been effective in curbing offences like drunken driving and talking on the mobile while driving, so we are going in for this punching method,” said the district regional
transport officer, T. J. Thomas.

The new penalty system could be introduced from April.

The government still has to approve it.

Meanwhile, over 200 licences have been suspended by the motor vehicles department in the district and 286 accident deaths have been reported last year.