Hyderabad: Cops Step Up Safer Ride Tie-Ups for New Year Revellers
Joel Davis also appealed to partygoers to behave responsibly by ensuring that one sober friend accompanies each group and takes charge of driving others home. “A designated sober driver can prevent accidents and save lives.”
Hyderabad: With New Year celebrations approaching, the city police —across the Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda Commissionerates — are rolling out a comprehensive traffic and safety plan aimed at curbing drunk driving and ensuring public safety during the festive period.
Joel Davis, joint commissioner of police (traffic), Hyderabad, said, “Special enforcement will begin a week before December 31 and continue till the first week of January, covering New Year’s Eve, weekend gatherings and post‑celebration spillover traffic.”
Teams from law and order, traffic police and the Central Armed Reserve (CAR) will work in coordination to prevent untoward incidents and major accidents. While there will be no fixed or simultaneous checkpoints, officials said random drunk‑driving checks will be conducted across the city. “The idea is to create uncertainty and fear of being caught, rather than predictable checks,” an official said.
A Rachakonda traffic wing officer said pubs in the zone are limited — around 15 — and located mainly in Neredmet, Sainikpuri and LB Nagar. “Checks will be in place, and the advisory will be released a week before New Year. Those caught driving under the influence of liquor will be produced before court, where fines ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 15,000 may be imposed depending on the severity of the offence and past violations. Repeat offenders may face stricter action, including licence suspension,” the officer said.
Despite repeated advisories, pubs rarely provide cab services for patrons consuming alcohol, a staffer from a prominent pub admitted. “Most managements are only concerned about ensuring customers don’t walk out with liquor bottles. There is hardly any effort to check whether they are fit to drive — which they shouldn’t be anyway,” he said. He expressed hope that stricter coordination with cab aggregators this year could finally ensure safer travel for revellers.
Police are now focusing on preventive measures. Officials said they are exploring a system where pub and bar managements are encouraged to tie up with cab aggregators to ensure rides for patrons who consume alcohol. These suggestions may be included in the upcoming public advisory. This, officials believe, could also impress upon establishments the importance of actively facilitating safe transport options, especially during peak celebration hours.
Joel Davis also appealed to partygoers to behave responsibly by ensuring that one sober friend accompanies each group and takes charge of driving others home. “A designated sober driver can prevent accidents and save lives,” he said.
Commuters have been advised to cooperate with police personnel, avoid drinking and driving under any circumstances, and plan their travel in advance. Police said the measures are intended not to inconvenience the public, but to ensure that New Year celebrations do not end in tragedy.
