Drunk drivers to be jailed in three Odisha cities

Drunk drivers, be ready for jail. The Odisha government has decided not only to penalise drivers under influence of alcohol, but also seek imprisonment for them as part of its efforts to enforce road safety measures.

As per recommendation of a committee on road safety headed by retired judge Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan, a high-level meeting under chairmanship of Chief Secretary G. C. Pati decided to impose harsher punishment for drunk driving in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela. Later it will be extended to other parts of the State.

Direction of Committee on Road Safety says the police will prosecute the offenders and seek imprisonment as prescribed under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, in case driver is detected driving under influence of alcohol.

Transport Commissioner has been directed to prepare detail action plan on suspension of driving license and filing of prosecution for imprisonment in coordination with the State police.

The meeting further decided that the excise department will submit a report to the transport commissioner on latest status of liquor shops and steps being taken to remove them. According Transport Department, by June this year, 704 liquor shops were operating within 50 metre distance from National Highways and State Highways in the State.

During past five years, 47,424 accidents have taken place leaving more than 50,000 persons injured in the State.

As high as 19,333 persons have died while 36,811 drivers have been arrested for rash and negligent driving. In all accidents, properties worth Rs.188 crore have been lost. Incidentally, only 75 driving licenses have been suspended.

The State government has also made a move to implement dress code for drivers and proposed to cancel driving license for violation of dress code. Now, driving license could be suspended for not less than three months, if a driver is found to jump red light with speed exceeding prescribed limit, carry overload in goods carriage and persons in goods carriage and use mobile phones while driving. A driver could invite similar punishment if he or she uses non-visible number plates.

It needs to be mentioned that 247 black spots (where accidents frequently occur) and 258 black spots on the State Highways have been identified and remedial measures taken up.