The extended night life on weekends seems to have led to an increase in the number of drunken driving cases, some of which have resulted in fatal accidents.
According to the traffic police, prior to the rule allowing for night life to be extended from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, the number of offences recorded would be around 500 to 800. However, after the extension, this has increased to over 1,000 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Incidentally, Saturdays sees the highest number of accidents as compared to any other day. In 2014, there were 773 accidents at the start of the weekend, or around 15 accidents on each Saturday of the year. Drunken driving offences are also higher on that day, say the police.
Considering the unceasing menace of drunk driving – nearly 60,000 cases are booked every year — the traffic police have extended their checks. From weekends, they are carrying out checks every alternate day.
“The traffic police are conducting drunken driving checks thrice a week with penalties and seizure of driving licences. Despite the strict measures, the number of cases is on the rise,” noted M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police (traffic).
Jail for drunk drivers?Taking serious note of Saturday’s accident, the city traffic police are mulling over more stringent penalties, apart from fines and suspension of driving licence. Recommending jail for drunken driving is being touted as a far stricter deterrent.
Mr. Saleem told The Hindu that the police would request courts to remand every drunk driver in judicial custody.
A few months ago, one person was remanded in judicial custody for 10 days for misbehaving with the police and other motorists during a drunk driving check.
