From Dec-end, driving drunk to cost you licence

MUMBAI : Next time you get held for drunken driving, traffic police may suspend your driving licence for up to three months.

This move comes even though the past three years have witnessed a significant reduction in the number of motorists prosecuted for the crime.traffic authorities submitted the proposal to implement this suspension rule to the regional transport office (RTO) only a week ago.

“In all probability, the implementation of the rules will start by the end of this month,” joint commissioner of police, traffic, Amitesh Kumar said.

With Christmas and New Year revelries around the corner, this would mean double the punishment for those caught driving drunk at nakabandis — not only would they have to shell out a ₹2,000 fine but stand to lose their licences for the next three months. According to a circular issued by the Maharashtra Police last month, drunk driving along with five other offences (talking on the phone while driving, speeding, jumping signals, ferrying passengers in commercial vehicles, overloading commercial vehicles) requires seizing the driver’s licence and depositing it with the RTO for suspension. This is already being enforced on the highways.

With 12,264 deaths, Maharashtra recorded the third largest number of highway fatalities in the country in 2017, followed by Uttar Pradesh (20,124) and Tamil Nadu (16,157).

Kumar said the city also witnessed a 23% reduction in road fatalities this year as compared with the last, even as there were fewer cases of drunk driving.

Till November 31 this year, the number of drunken driving cases fell by almost 50% from last year. Kumar attributed this drop to visible police presence on roads which acted as a major deterrent to motorists trying to drive after consuming alcohol.

“Another important factor was the increase in awareness amongst motorists,” Kumar said. “In fact, many restaurants now have facilities for customers to check their alcohol levels.”

WITH CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR REVELRIES AROUND THE CORNER, THIS MEANS DOUBLE THE PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CAUGHT DRIVING DRUNK