Just 3 female traffic cops in city, no woman fined for drink driving

DATA SHOWS THAT FROM 2013 TO 2017, 1.4 LAKH CHALLANS WERE

ISSUED FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, NONE AGAINST WOMEN

NEW DELHI: Not a single woman has been fined in the last five years for drink-driving in the national capital, a fact that doesn’t necessarily reflect a remarkable resolve to always remain sober behind the wheel. This month, one woman has been detained, and that was after she crashed her car at high speed while out on a joyride, killing two.

According to Delhi Traffic Police data, between 2013 and 2017, a total of 1.4 lakh challans were issued to motorists for driving under the influence. In 2013, traffic police fined 26,633 people for drink driving, followed by 29,584 in 2014.

In 2015 and 2016, the traffic police caught and fined 25,958 and 28,006 motorists for the offence. Last year, the number was 29,850.

Remarkably enough, all the offenders, who had to fork over a fine of ₹1,000 each, including suspension of licence for three months, were men.

That doesn’t mean women aren’t driving in an intoxicated state, it’s just that there aren’t enough female traffic police to check and prosecute drunk woman motorists, Delhi Traffic Police officers said on condition of anonymity.

Under t he present law, woman motorists cannot be pulled up for inspections by policemen in the absence of female officers. Male officers posted at traffic pickets have no authority to stop a car with a woman driver.