manoj

HE DELHI Traffic Police's drive against drunken driving was at its peak on Sunday, Christmas eve, and 60 people were prosecuted for drunken driving.

The traffic police had launched a special drive along with an NGO Indian Alcohol Policy Alliance on December 23 to educate people on the hazards of drunken driving. The drive started by them last week will continue till the New Year eve celebrations to ensure people do not mix alcohol and driving.

If you enjoy your drink, then find someone to drive you home, is the advice the traffic police are giving to party animals.

Armed with 76 alcho-meters, the traffic police assisted the local police on main crossings to apprehend motorists driving after consuming alcohol on Christmas Eve. Senior officers including the Joint CP Traffic, Qamar Ahmed, were out patrolling at night.

"We deployed more force near hotels, bars and restaurants as we expected people in large numbers to celebrate. We also deployed force near churches to regulate traffic," Ahmed said.

Drunken driving is a serious offence and people should refrain from it for their own safety as well as that of others. Many lives can be saved if people do not drink and drive. If people do have to drink they should get somebody to drive them home," Ahmed added.

The effect of the drive was visible on the roads with barricades and cars lined up in a long queue in many parts of the city. "There were three barricades between Oberoi flyover and Moolchand itself with cars lined up all through the stretch," said Amit Mamgain, a bank executive.

The police said they would intensify the drive against drunken driving, with more deployment of police as New Year Eve approaches.

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, a person can be fined Rs. 2000 or face imprisonment up to 6 months or both for the offence. Traffic police records in 2006 show 3,800 people were prosecuted, compared to 3,300 in 2005.

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com (Delhi Edition)
Date Of Publish: 26-Dec-06

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