Delhi Traffic Police seems to have failed to curb the drunken driving menace in the city, particularly at night, when the number of Traffic Police personnel on the roads is almost negligible.
More than 20,400 drivers have been booked this year for driving in an inebriated state. Most of these prosecutions were done during the special drives conducted by traffic cops, but things go back to square one after the drives end. Alarmingly, nearly 250 out of the total violators booked so far are repeat offenders.
This indicates that despite strict vigil and frequent special drives undertaken by the law enforcing agency, motorists in the Capital refuse to learn and have been putting their lives and those of others at risk.
Recently, in two incidents of similar nature, two homeless people sleeping on pavements were crushed to death under the wheels of vehicles being driven by drunk drivers.
The punishment prescribed for drunk driving hardly seems to be a deterrent for most people. A first-time offender may face a maximum jail term of six months and be fined at least `2,000.
If a person is arrested for killing somebody while driving in an inebriated state, he or she may get off lightly by paying a meagre bail amount.
Also, the law states that an officer investigating a fatal accident does not have to send the accused for a medical exam. local police can ask for a medical examination at their discretion.
“This lacuna in the law ties the hands of the police. Medical test must be made mandatory whether the accused is drunk or not at the time of the accident,” an official said.
When asked about drunken driving, Joint Commissioner of Police, Anil Shukla said instructions have been given to the Traffic Police to prosecute whosoever is caught driving in an inebriated state. Their vehicles must be impounded and the offender has to pay a fine and also undergo a counselling session. Repeat offenders will have to spend time in Tihar.