Mumbai avoids drink-driving cocktail, 26% drop in New Year cases
Nitasha Natu and Shrutika Sukhi | TNN | Jan 2, 2019, 05:16 IST
MUMBAI: Nearly 3,000 motorists were booked for drunk driving in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) on New Year’s Eve in 2018. While cases in MMR surged by 22% year-on-year, Mumbai seemed to have sobered up. Drunk driving cases in the city dropped by 26% from 615 in 2017 to 455 in 2018.
“Identifying vulnerable locations and systematic crackdowns throughout the year helped us reduce drunk driving in Mumbai,” said joint commissioner, traffic, Amitesh Kumar. The drunk driving checks began as early as 10am on Monday. A total of 9,800 motorists were asked to blow into breathlyzers. Those found with alcohol levels higher than permissible limits were asked to pay a deposit of Rs 2,000 and appear in court. If they were driving alone, their cars were also impounded. Vakola (36 cases) and Sahar (34 cases) were among the traffic divisions that netted a large number of offenders. “A proposal for suspension of driving licences for six months of all 455 motorists that tested positive have been sent to the RTO,” said Kumar.
The traffic police, including Kumar, were out on the streets till 6am on Tuesday. The traffic police recorded 1,114 cases of speeding and rash driving, and over 9,000 other violations.
In Thane, drunk driving offences increased from 1,327 cases in 2017 to 2,071 in 2018. The traffic police had set up 54 check points and deployed over 500 officers. “It was seen that most offenders were below the age of 35,” said Anil Mangale, inspector, Thane traffic department. “We also took action against pillion riders who were travelling with drunk riders,” he added.
Navi Mumbai motorists too appear to have sobered up with drunk driving cases reducing from 424 in 2017 to 353 in 2018. A Kharghar traffic official said people go to CBD to drink as there are no bars and wine shops in Kharghar. “We therefore conducted nakabandis at entry points to Kharghar. In one instance, a drunk motorist refused to listen to us and wouldn’t step out of his vehicle. We were compelled to haul him to the police station and register a non-cognizable offence,” he said.In Mira-Bhayander, drunk driving cases surged from 78 in 2017 to 106 in 2018. Data for Palghar district was not available and hasn’t been included in MMR.
“Identifying vulnerable locations and systematic crackdowns throughout the year helped us reduce drunk driving in Mumbai,” said joint commissioner, traffic, Amitesh Kumar. The drunk driving checks began as early as 10am on Monday. A total of 9,800 motorists were asked to blow into breathlyzers. Those found with alcohol levels higher than permissible limits were asked to pay a deposit of Rs 2,000 and appear in court. If they were driving alone, their cars were also impounded. Vakola (36 cases) and Sahar (34 cases) were among the traffic divisions that netted a large number of offenders. “A proposal for suspension of driving licences for six months of all 455 motorists that tested positive have been sent to the RTO,” said Kumar.
The traffic police, including Kumar, were out on the streets till 6am on Tuesday. The traffic police recorded 1,114 cases of speeding and rash driving, and over 9,000 other violations.
In Thane, drunk driving offences increased from 1,327 cases in 2017 to 2,071 in 2018. The traffic police had set up 54 check points and deployed over 500 officers. “It was seen that most offenders were below the age of 35,” said Anil Mangale, inspector, Thane traffic department. “We also took action against pillion riders who were travelling with drunk riders,” he added.
Navi Mumbai motorists too appear to have sobered up with drunk driving cases reducing from 424 in 2017 to 353 in 2018. A Kharghar traffic official said people go to CBD to drink as there are no bars and wine shops in Kharghar. “We therefore conducted nakabandis at entry points to Kharghar. In one instance, a drunk motorist refused to listen to us and wouldn’t step out of his vehicle. We were compelled to haul him to the police station and register a non-cognizable offence,” he said.In Mira-Bhayander, drunk driving cases surged from 78 in 2017 to 106 in 2018. Data for Palghar district was not available and hasn’t been included in MMR.
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