The traffic police's campaign against drink driving seems to be finally bearing fruit as the number of offenders sent to jail and licences suspended have dipped this year compared with 2010.
Until October 6, the traffic police registered 10,054 cases of drink driving in which 3,975 motorists were sent to jail, the licences of 3,902 offenders suspended and a total of Rs1.99 crore was collected as fine. In 2010, 16,290 cases were registered in which 10,262 motorists were sent to jail, the licences of 8,354 offenders suspended and Rs3.14 crore was collected as fine.
"The state government's decision to increase the severity of punishment and hike the penalty has created a sense of fear among motorists. We have also been strictly conducting the drive at major junctions," said Nandkumar Chougule, deputy commissioner of police, traffic.
In 2010, the government had increased the jail term for repeat offenders from six months to two years and hiked the fine from Rs2,000 to Rs3,000.
The traffic police, in collaboration with various NGOs, are also conducting awareness programmes in various schools and colleges and regularly conducting workshops for autorickshaw and taxi drivers and even private vehicle owners.
The campaign had started on June 20, 2007, after it was observed that most accidents were caused by motorists who were driving drunk. By December 31, 2007, the licences of 4,866 motorists were cancelled by the court and collected a total of Rs2.28 crore collected as fine.
"The campaign has created awareness among motorists, who avoid driving drunk," said Ashok Datar, traffic expert.
He suggested that the traffic police should start another drive to stop motorists from jumping signals and cutting lanes.
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