Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Police launch campaign against drunken driving

HYDERABAD: Next time you celebrate your weekend bash on the city suburbs with friends, think twice as traffic police have launched a campaign against drunken driving.

The campaign was initiated following increasing road accidents involving tipplers. Armed with the new hand-held breath analysers, the traffic police have intensified drive against tipplers on all the main roads in twin cities. Focus is also being laid on partygoers attending weekend bashes on the city outskirts at Shamirpet, Medchal, L. B. Nagar and Narsingi and returning to the city.

Any argument with a police by an inebriated motorist would immediately lead to booking of a case for preventing a government official from discharging duty.

A traffic police study revealed that there were several incidents of inebriated vehicle owners returning home having fatal accidents after ramming into an electrical poles or road medians. Such cases were mounting especially during weekends and most victims were between the age group of 20 and 35.

“Our men will check vehicle owners on some identified junctions with breath analysers and if anyone found to be in an intoxicated condition, a penalty of Rs.200 will be collected from them. It will be a continuous exercise”, said Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) N. V. Surendra Babu.

As priority was given to prevent drunken driving in twin cities, a crackdown exercise was launched from Saturday last.

Around 388 cases were booked against motorists, especially motorcyclists for driving in an inebriated state. Thirty-eight vehicles were also seized during the special drive.

Following complaints that old breath analysers were leading to communicable diseases, traffic police had procured 80 hand-held breath analysers a few days ago to contain diseases. The new equipment will record exact quantity of alcohol consumed when a vehicle owner exhale by holding it near the nose, he explained.

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