KOZHIKODE: Jeopardising the safety of road users after sunset, drunken driving and road accidents that are alcohol-related are on the rise in the city. As many as 468 cases of drunken driving were reported in the last four months by the traffic and Motor Vehicle Departments. According to the officials of the traffic department, more than 50 percent of motorists caught during the checking in the city after 9 p.m. were drunk, especially during weekends.
Car owners who attend dinners and parties tend to get drunk, indulge in rash driving and meet with road accidents. Officials have also reported that a majority of cases of drunken driving are committed by youngsters, mostly college students. “It is after subjecting the drivers that are caught to a medical examination within two hours, we confirm that they have violated the MVD regulations”, said Regional Transport Officer C K Paulson. As per the MVD act, driving under the influence of alcohol attracts an imprisonment of upto six months or fine up to Rs 2,000 or both with provision for enhanced punishment for repeating the offence within three years of the first conviction, he added.
In April there were 110 cases of drunken driving, in May 129, June 140 and July 89. During this month, on last Sunday alone there were more than 15 cases of drunken driving, of which five resulted in accidents. One was reported near Thondayad Bypass, in which the driver under the influence of alcohol hit a motorist who is currently admitted to a private hospital with serious head injuries, he said.
Alcohol-related accidents often exhibited a number of distinguishing characteristics like involvement of a single vehicle travelling at high speed and killing pedestrians. “Our squads adopt a tough stand against these drivers and the officials in charge have been given breathalysers, to check especially during night hours.
