Massive drive fails to deter drunk drivers

Hyderabad: Registered cases of drunken driving have increased in the city, with the rise in vigilance. In the month of August alone, the Hyderabad traffic police registered a total of 2,240 cases. All violators were produced in the third and fourth metropolitan magistrate courts in Nampally.

1. In 2019 (till August), 19,604 cases registered as against 29,484 ub 2018
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2. Around 1,050 licenses cancelled permanently; 2,240 cases in Aug alone
3. The core group of violators is youth, in the age group of 20 and 35
4. Maximum number of cases have been reported from Malakpet
5. Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Trimulgherry and Charminar see increase

Speaking to the Hans India, Inspector Traffic Admin KPV Raju said, "We used to conduct checks only on Friday and Saturday nights until last year, but in light of the cases registered recently, we have upped the ante and our teams, both static and mobile, do routine checks even on weekdays. Many offenders caught drinking and driving last month are second and third-time offenders."

Raju further said, "If the blood alcohol content is found to be higher than 30 mg/dl, we are authorized to register cases against drivers. The punishment is awarded on the basis of the alcohol level in the blood. But, we usually let people go up to 35 mg/dl." According to the police, the increase in cases is mainly due to the easy availability of liquor and an increase in people's capacity to purchase.

"Though we have caught people belonging to all age groups, the core group consists of youngsters aged between 20 and 35. A maximum number of cases have been reported from Malakpet, while areas like Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills and Trimulgherry and Charminar also seen a large number of cases," the officer added.

In 2019 (till August), the drunken driving cases were around 19,604 and the licenses of some 1,050 people were permanently cancelled. However, in 2018, the number was 29,484. The city saw a spike in cases despite the massive awareness campaign undertaken by the traffic police in the last few months.

Violators shall be punishable for the first offense with imprisonment for up to six months or with fine up to Rs 2,000 or with both. For a second or subsequent offense, if committed within three years of the commission of the previous similar offence, the violators shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term or with fine up to Rs 3,000 or with both, he said.