Drunk-driving: Week-long drive till New Year's eve

Traffic, law and order men to be roped in for the task from Dec 24

As the city is preparing to welcome New Year 2015, the city police have made plans to rein in the tipsy revellers. A week-long drive against drunken-driving will be launched on December 24, that will be in place till New Year’s eve.

Police Commissioner M A Saleem told Deccan Herald that unlike previous years when the intensified drive was taken out on the eve to check riders and drivers under the influence of liquor, it has been decided to step up the drive this year.

The traffic policemen along with their counterparts in law and order wing, will be deputed at select locations with the sole aim of intercepting drunk-driving (DD) cases.

The drive is otherwise regularly conducted twice or thrice in a week, including weekends. Unlike other offences where spot fine will be collected, in the case of drunken-driving, the vehicle will be seized and the case will be referred to court. The offender will have to pay court fine to secure his vehicle. In the case of repeated third offence, the police commissioner will recommend the regional transport authority for suspending the driving licences of erring riders/ drivers.

Suspension of DLs
Saleem said, when it was decided to keep DLs under suspension starting from the fag end of 2013, 105 licence holders had to face action. In the last 11 months, 1,820 licences have been recommended for suspension.

In another measure, the police authorities have also decided to make it mandatory for the big hotels offering bar service, to provide cab services on the day, to obtain special permission to extend the service period for one hour. It will also ensure that people will not drive in inebriated condition risking the lives of others too.

Normally, bars which are permitted to be open till 11.30 pm, have been given relaxation to remain open till 12.30 am. The bars will also have to take permission from Excise department.

Inter-state offenders
Saleem said, while there has been a drastic decrease in the number of locals taking to vehicles under the influence of liquor, due to the intensified drives, inter-state drivers (those driving through the city between Bengaluru, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) top the list of violators.