manoj

FROM NOW on, if you are involved in an accident while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) will immediately suspend your licence. The duration of suspension will vary according to the seriousness of the accident.

The Maharashtra RTO, the state’s driving licence-issuing authority, this week issued a circular to all 10 state RTOs, directing them to suspend licences in cases of drunk driving, especially where anyone has been in jured or killed. Up to now, the police would only seize the licences of offenders till the case came up in court.

The circular, sent by Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Shyamsunder D. Shinde, is said to have been prompted by the “increasing number of drunk driving cases in the state”, including the Alistair Pereira case, where the 21-year-old ran over seven workers and injured 14 others while allegedly driving in an inebriated condition on Carter Road last November.

Sources said a copy of the circular had been sent to the state director-general of police so that his office can give directions to all police stations to send a copy of the First Investigation Report of the incident to the nearest RTO office to begin proceedings.

“The number of cases of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol has been increasing, and there is need to initiate stringent action against them; this decision will act as a deterrent. This is also important from the view of safety of pedestrians and motorists,” Shinde said in a signed notification (a copy of which is with HT).

“If the motorist is involved in a cognisable offence (where someone has been injured or killed), we have the power to prevent the motorist from holding a valid licence for a particular period, depending on the gravity of the case and individual hearings,” a top RTO official said.

“The ball is in the police’s court now. It is up to them to send the relevant case papers to the nearest RTO, after which our officials will initiate action,” a top RTO official said.

Number of drunk driving cases in Mumbai during Jan-Dec 2006 1,022

Number of such cases in Mumbai during Jan-Mar 2007 841

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com (Mumbai Edition)
Date Of Publish: 19-Apr-07

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junaid

Its an appreciable decision taken by RTO dept. but proper coordination btw rto dept. & police dept. is necessary.

spy

Drink driving is prevalent among drivers after sunset. There are at least 5 to 6 truck accidents taking place each and every highway. Most of the truck drivers indulge in drug abuse, too. “Speed thrills but kills is very much applicable to this class of drivers.

suguna

sorry, i m not sure about this (proper coordination).

PRAVIN3003

DRINK AND DRIVE

not only bikers , but RTO should check Car drivers in night time as they
are also in drunk condition. But they can saved easily due to glass window
is closed due to car airconditioner is in running condition.