Jamshedpur cops have re-introduced breathalyzer test following a spurt in drink-driving cases. The district traffic department has decided to act tough against drunk driving during the year-end celebration. Officials informed that special drives would be carried out at different areas of the city to check drunken driving.
Several breathalyzers under possession of the district traffic police are being used during the operation on Saturdays and Sundays from December 28 and on special occasions when picnickers' numbers swell at picnic hotspots such as on December 31, January 1, January 14 and January 26.
"This time we are serious on the issue. The drive will help in checking road mishaps. Drunk driving is one of the major reasons for road mishaps during the festival. We are also issuing a general appeal asking people not to drive vehicles-- two and four wheelers --under the influence of alcohol," said SSP Prabhat Kumar.
Another police official said that traffic cops manning the approach roads have been trained in breathalyzers. The Jamshedpur Police have acquired a score of breath analyzers to drive wedge between the lethal combination of drinking and driving. Traffic Police gets six of them while the industrial towns get two each. If caught driving under the influence of driving above the permissible limit, one can be fined up to Rs 2,000.
In case of penalty not paid, the violator’s vehicle can be seized and in grievous cases, the driver can face imprisonment for a period of six months to two years. Officials informed that traffic cops equipped with breathalyzers henceforth would check impromptu at static locations.
It is estimated that nearly 12 lakh commuters and vehicles ply on roads every day. Maintaining their smooth flow would indeed be a daunting task once hordes of buses of educational institutes deluge the narrow city roads after the summer holidays.
Police said drunk driving is dangerous and is one of the key issues faced by the traffic police in the city. With the resumption of breathalyzer tests, there is bound to be a reduction in fatal accidents, police added. Traffic police personnel have begun a drive to check rash driving and imposing spot fines on offenders. In the past two days, over 200 bikers have been hauled up.
