Drop in drink driving cases….Mohan K Korappath
A note submitted by the traffic department has hinted that there has been a sharp decrease in the number of cases of driving under the influence of alcohol. The traffic department note was submitted in the Bombay high court on Wednesday, which was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Bombay Bar Association for strict implementation of traffic norms and action against errant traffic constables.
According to the traffic police, a comparison of last year’s figures with those of this year has shown a drop in the number of cases registered for drink driving. While last year 8,962 cases of drunken driving were registered by the traffic department, this year 8,092 cases were filed till July this year.
This shows the drivers are now avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol, the note says. According to the data submitted by the traffic department, the number of drunken driving offences registered stands till July this year was 8,092 and this offence fetched a whopping sum of Rs 1,68,88,700 to the transport department.
In June and July this year, 2,401 people were caught for driving under influence, which helped the department collect Rs55,33,400 as fines.
The court was also informed that following the meetings between various authorities, including the home department, a proposal for implementing E-challan system presently under consideration.
The notes submitted by assistant government pleader JS Saluja also pointed out various difficulties faced by the traffic police that include arguments by errant drivers, poor conditions of city roads and health issues faced by traffic constables, among others.
The traffic authorities have indirectly put the corporation’s apathy as one of the causes for its woes. Some of the concerns raised include problems such as invisible road markings, especially on paver blocks, condition and capacity of roads, footpaths occupied for other use and scarcity of parking space.
Meanwhile, BEST drivers too contribute to traffic chaos in the city as the figures revealed that 628 drivers were booked for traffic violations from January to July, out of which 539 were for jumping signals.