Hyderabad: Measures to prevent drunk driving are being taken up at a policy-level in Telangana for the first time. Insurance coverage for transport drivers will now have a special clause for checking drunk driving.
The Telangana government has decided to insert a special clause denying social security scheme benefits if a public service driver is injured or dies in an accident while drunk. The special clause was recommended by RTA officials to prevent drunk driving.
According to statistics with the transport department, the number of accidental deaths per 1 lakh population in undivided Andhra Pradesh was 36.1 against the national average of 32.6.
Undivided Andhra Pradesh accounted for 10.7 per cent of all accidents nationwide and stood third in the country.
As per the social security scheme extended by the labour department, Rs 5 lakh accident coverage is provided to all transport drivers who are registered with the transport department of Telangana.
These include persons employed as drivers for transport vehicles, including autorickshaws, lorries, buses, jeeps, taxis, private vehicles, and other vehicles engaged for the transport of goods and passengers.
“The state government will be including the special clause to bring down drunk driving. In case of an accidental death, if alcohol is found in the blood content of the driver, the social security coverage will not be given. During discussions, even autorickshaw drivers agreed to the importance of the measure,” said a senior official from the transport department.
