Bhubaneswar: In a State-wide drive against drunk driving conducted by the State Government, a total of 599 people were found driving under the influence of alcohol.
Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary Commerce & Transport advised the Regional Transport Officers to go for overdrive against drunken driving taking help of Police Officers.
With COVID-related restrictions lifted by the State Government following a drastic dip in cases, the Department of Transport along with State Police resumed special drive to check drunken driving in the month of April.
In accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety 222 drunk people were detained for the offence and handed to judicial custody for necessary action during the special drive conducted from September 7 to 9, 2022.
Similarly, a total of 338 driving licenses (DLs) have been confiscated for suspension. Enforcement staff detained 350 vehicles of the offenders. A total 455 prosecution report (PR) has been submitted to courts for further action.
Apart from this, 1568 other cases have been detected for violation of Motor Vehicle Act. A total of 1532 e-challans were issued for various offences.
Despite a set of strict laws and regulations, drunk driving continues to be one of the major reasons behind road accidents in India. As many as 246 road accidents took place in Odisha in 2021 due to drunken driving. A total of 79 people lost their lives in these incidents and 151 people were injured
The September 2019 amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 mentions that in the case of drunken driving, first-time offenders will face imprisonment up to six months and/or fine up to Rs 10, 000. The second offence can lead to up to two years prison term and/or fine of Rs15,000.
