Police have 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. The team inspected picnic spots on Sunday namely Jubilee Park, Dimna Lake, and Hudco Lake.
"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 an official.
He said that traffic cops manning the approach roads have been trained in breathalysers tests. 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.
The 25-member squad comprising inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables from the excise department had carried out twin surveillance shifts — one in the morning and the other in the evening.
"As per the plans the squads will be on the streets for checking of drunk-driving and may arrest anyone if found involved in rash-driving or drunk driving. During the drive which will last till late in the night we will ensure that the anti-social elements may not indulge themselves in clashes on the streets and also at the public places like hotels, and also in the clubs," said the senior police officer.
Sources in the police said there will be about 100 additional policemen in four-wheelers and also on bikes for patrolling the city and also for their deployment in strategic points across the city.
Patrolling teams will also include women constables. The idea is to prevent eve-teasing cases and ensure that nobody is able to forcibly enter picnic spots and party venues. Ladies constables will also be deployed in some of the sensitive areas marked by the police to tackle eve teasers. They have been instructed to take action immediately if any instance of eve teasing is found around them. “We are dedicated to providing a peaceful atmosphere to the people for New Year\ celebrations and we are doing our best for that,” he said.