manoj

Laws against drunken driving or driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol vary from country to country. But while India allows a lower permissible limit of alcohol in blood than many countries, punishments in some countries for drunken driving can be harsher than in India.

However, stricter laws aren’t always a deterrent. In Russia, there is zero tolerance for drivers found with even a trace of alcohol on their breath. The licence can be confiscated for life. Content of alcohol in blood must be 0. In India, 30mg alcohol is allowed in 100ml of blood—0.03% blood-alcohol content (BAC).

But in Russia, 10% of road crashes are caused by intoxicated drivers. In a recent case, a drunk driver ploughed into and killed 14 cadets. If found guilty, he could face up to seven years in prison.

In India, a first offence can draw a prison term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to Rs 2,000. A second offence within three years can draw imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of Rs 3,000.

In some American states, if people under 21 are caught trying to, or even conspiring to, buy alcohol, they can have their driving licences suspended, or face a delay in getting a licence. This is without even drinking and attempting to drive. However, underage drinking and drunken driving persist.

Worldwide, the permissible level of alcohol in the bloodstream can vary from 0.08% BAC (in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy) to none at all. In many states of the United States and Australia, a stricter, lower limit exists for younger or less experienced drivers.

In the UK, a first offence carries a fine of up to GBP 5,000 and/or a sentence of up to six months in prison. The offender also loses his licence for a year. A second offence within the next 10 years carries a heavier sentence and a disqualification from driving for at least three years.

Throughout the US, the permissible blood-alcohol level for under-21s is usually zero. DUI is considered a misdemeanour (akin to a civil offence) but if damage to property or an injury that results in hospitalisation for over 72 hours occurs, the offence is treated as a felony (similar to a crime in the Indian legal system). In Australia, France and Germany, the limit is 0.06% BAC. In Germany, a driver involved in an accident must show levels of blood-alcohol below 0.02% BAC. In Norway and Sweden, 0.02% BAC is the limit for everyone.

But attitudes towards drinking and driving are changing. In the UK, while public health campaigns used to earlier focus on drivers knowing what the legal limit was and ensuring they were below it, now the message being sent out is that the only safe way to drive is without drinking at all. People are encouraged to either take a taxi home, use a pick-up service or designate a non-drinking driver.

In Russia, the traffic cops tackle the menace in a multi-pronged fashion—from random checks to stationing dummy patrol guards which from a distance are mistaken for the real thing, causing drivers to slow down.

TELL-TALE BLOOD SIGNS

Permissible level of alcohol in blood in India: 30mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, or 0.03% blood alcohol content (BAC)

Under influence:100mg alcohol/100ml of blood
Fatal levels: 250mg to 300 mg alcohol/100ml blood

Detection tests

Breathalyser: Detects blood-alcohol content from breath sample. Results available immediately Blood test: Can determine immediately if alcohol is present in blood. But exact percentage of alcohol can be known only after results of chemical analysis, which can take over two months

CRIME AND CONVICTION

In India:
THE LAW IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Source: http://epaper.timesofindia.com (Mumbai edition)
Date Of Publish: 14-Nov-06

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