<p> Vehicle users, especially the younger lot, high on spirits, whizzing by the roads maneouvring the night traffic are under scanner now. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Vrooming on their vehicles in the cover of darkness will no more be easy as traffic police have intensified action against drunk-driving cases in the city.<br /><br />While the number of drunken driving (DD) cases booked up to February 28, 2013 is an alarming 905 cases against 1,660 in the whole of 2012.. No, this does not mean more people are under the influence of liquor but the traffic cops have intensified thier drive.The number of cases might have seen a rise in the first week of March, in view of ULB polls. However, statistics is not available for the period. <br /><br />Traffic cops are leaving no stone unturned to let them (Riders and drivers) pass without testing their breath either by sniffing or by testing them using breathalyser.<br />Ajith, a college student, who was on his mobike on Jhansi Laxmi Bai road was surprised to see barricades near the Institution of Engineers, when he was intercepted by two cops and was made to blow his mouth to confirm that he was not drunk much to his embarrassment .<br /><br />Autodrivers were seen signalling to fellow drivers about the drive and saying that it is safe to choose a different route, if they are under the influence of liquor.<br />Those behind wheels on four-wheelers, unaware of the drive, were intercepted at the circle and a cop was forcing his head into the car window and asking the driver to blow his mouth, sniffing, before giving him a clean chit.<br /><br />Earlier, women were spared,now the cops have intensified the drive, said a woman, who was waiting patiently in her car until the test was done. More than 40 vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers were lined up near the petrol bunk on KRS road with cops busy even after the clock showed well past ten. There was also some lighter moments, when a traffic cop asked a youth on a motorbike after making him blow in the air, ‘Yen brand appa idu’, the boy sincerely answering ‘Uncle, idu fanta’.<br /><br />When contacted ACP (Traffic) N Vishnuvardhan, said that the drive is being done on a continuous basis. The cops issue notices to the violators through blackberry and are produced before the magistrate who fixes the penalty. The highest amount of fine for drunk and driving case recently is Rs 2,500, said Vishnuvardhan. <br /><br />The traffic violators are made to attend a counselling held at V V Puram police station, where clippings and documentary on road accidents are screened. The family members of the victims share their sorrows, which remains etched in the memory of the violators for a long time, thus preventing them from repeating the mistake. <br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, DCP (crime and traffic) K P Bheemaiah said the drive is constant and is being held three days in a week at various places in the city. The main objective is safety of the public, especially youth, who love to keep their adrenaline pumping. However, he said women are not troubled during night hours and the drive is a success with the accident rate coming down.<br /></p>
<p> Vehicle users, especially the younger lot, high on spirits, whizzing by the roads maneouvring the night traffic are under scanner now. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Vrooming on their vehicles in the cover of darkness will no more be easy as traffic police have intensified action against drunk-driving cases in the city.<br /><br />While the number of drunken driving (DD) cases booked up to February 28, 2013 is an alarming 905 cases against 1,660 in the whole of 2012.. No, this does not mean more people are under the influence of liquor but the traffic cops have intensified thier drive.The number of cases might have seen a rise in the first week of March, in view of ULB polls. However, statistics is not available for the period. <br /><br />Traffic cops are leaving no stone unturned to let them (Riders and drivers) pass without testing their breath either by sniffing or by testing them using breathalyser.<br />Ajith, a college student, who was on his mobike on Jhansi Laxmi Bai road was surprised to see barricades near the Institution of Engineers, when he was intercepted by two cops and was made to blow his mouth to confirm that he was not drunk much to his embarrassment .<br /><br />Autodrivers were seen signalling to fellow drivers about the drive and saying that it is safe to choose a different route, if they are under the influence of liquor.<br />Those behind wheels on four-wheelers, unaware of the drive, were intercepted at the circle and a cop was forcing his head into the car window and asking the driver to blow his mouth, sniffing, before giving him a clean chit.<br /><br />Earlier, women were spared,now the cops have intensified the drive, said a woman, who was waiting patiently in her car until the test was done. More than 40 vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers were lined up near the petrol bunk on KRS road with cops busy even after the clock showed well past ten. There was also some lighter moments, when a traffic cop asked a youth on a motorbike after making him blow in the air, ‘Yen brand appa idu’, the boy sincerely answering ‘Uncle, idu fanta’.<br /><br />When contacted ACP (Traffic) N Vishnuvardhan, said that the drive is being done on a continuous basis. The cops issue notices to the violators through blackberry and are produced before the magistrate who fixes the penalty. The highest amount of fine for drunk and driving case recently is Rs 2,500, said Vishnuvardhan. <br /><br />The traffic violators are made to attend a counselling held at V V Puram police station, where clippings and documentary on road accidents are screened. The family members of the victims share their sorrows, which remains etched in the memory of the violators for a long time, thus preventing them from repeating the mistake. <br /><br />Speaking to Deccan Herald, DCP (crime and traffic) K P Bheemaiah said the drive is constant and is being held three days in a week at various places in the city. The main objective is safety of the public, especially youth, who love to keep their adrenaline pumping. However, he said women are not troubled during night hours and the drive is a success with the accident rate coming down.<br /></p>
