When the thrill is about breaking law

Well if we think that the number of drunk driving has decreased over the years, than we are highly mistaken. Because the latest report by the Delhi Police tells a different story altogether. 

According to the report the number of drunk driving challans have increased from 4, 286 in 2006 to a whopping 24, 564 in 2013! This number is alarming. So what does this mean – are people preferring drinking more on roads than homes and pubs? Well, at least the rising number of drunk drivers behind wheels would certainly lend credence to the impression.

But, lets talk numbers. According to figures handed out by Delhi Police on New Year’  Eve itself the police caught 532 revellers under the influence of alcohol, whereas this number was 489 on December 31, 2012. The number shows the increasing rate of people taking the risk of driving after one too many drinks. Although, according to the Delhi Police report, the number of deaths on roads have declined, the issue of drunk driving continues to be worrisome, as it suggests that despite promos cautioning against drinking and driving and excessive  patrolling by the police, there seems to be little fear of law.

Metrolife spoke to few youngsters who prefer stealing a peg or two in their cars, also known as ‘car-o-bar’ to get their take on this kind of ‘adventure’. Rahul Goyal, a 3rd year student, said, “The sole reason for us having booze inside our cars is due to increasing rates of the pubs in the City. We are college students and can’t afford to go to pubs and clubs always. They have become really expensive. Also, the rates of liquor in these places are really high. So, ‘car-o-bar’ saves a lot of money.”
Another adventure-seeking youth Shikhar Sharma, seconds Rahul on this. “We buy booze from liquor shops and have them in our cars, it is more convenient and is a money savings option. Although, it is a risky thing but we are left with no option. We cannot drink anywhere else other than pubs and homes. Pubs are expensive and having booze at home is prohibited.”
For active policing, the police this time deployed 70 teams with breathalysers across the City. Detailed arrangements were specially made at Connaught Place, Saket, GK’s M-Block market, Chirag Delhi, New Friends Colony, Defence Colony, Nehru Place, Vasant Vihar, Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, Rajouri Garden, Rohini, Ashok Vihar, GT Karnal Road, Karkardooma, Preet Vihar and Mayur Vihar Phase-II.

Arpit Verma, a devout adherent of the  ‘car-o-bar’ culture elaborates how he manages to get away from the cops deployed on roads at the barricades. “We are a group of five and one of us is a non-drinker. I love to drive after I am high, but when we know there is police on the roads, my friend who doesn’t drink, gets behind the wheels. So, getting challaned has never happened to us.”