A major checking drive against drunken driving was launched by Delhi Traffic Police on Friday night during which more than 500 drunk drivers were prosecuted and over 400 vehicles were impounded and released only after their owners attended a counselling session. While the Delhi Traffic Police conducts the drive everyday, once a week the drive is intensified to prosecute people and come heavily on drunken drivers.
During the drive, which was held between 7 pm to 12 midnight, 541 drunk drivers were prosecuted, 434 vehicles were impounded and 154 owners were prosecuted, police said. “Besides prosecuting them, the violators were also directed to report for counselling session at Traffic Police Headquarters at Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, Pusa, where they were subjected to attend educational lectures as well as showing short films on drunken driving,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Shukla.
The drive was held at about 125 vulnerable points in all 43 traffic circles and as many as 600 officers/officials were deployed with sufficient numbers of alcometers for intensive prosecution against drunk drivers. All traffic inspectors, ACPs in traffic districts were available during the drive for exercising effective supervision and ensuring strict prosecution activities.
“During the drive, 322 two-wheelers, 175 cars, 14 autos, 11 HTVs/lGVs/MGVs, nine delivery vans and 10 other vehicles were checked. It was ensured that all violators are being provided with fresh blow pipe while conducting a breathalyzer test,” said Shukla. At the Traffic Police Headquarters, counselling was provided to the violators by Rohit Sharma of NGO The Way to Happiness Foundation (India). In addition, a written pledge was also taken from the errant drivers that in future they would not commit such mistakes. Educational literatures for safe driving were also distributed during the session. Vehicles were released to the rightful owners, who attended the session and signed the pledge.