drunk driving

A policeman uses an alcometer.

Zirakpur, March 3
It seems that the Mohali Police is ill-equipped to deal with drunk drivers. Only 145 challans were issued in 2011 and only a few in the past two months. There is no regular checking at Zirakpur despite the place being the venue for weddings and social functions.
Sources said the Mohali Police had only two alcometers whereas the highway police had three. They added that one of the alcometers did not work properly.
They said the police was not well-equipped to deal with such cases.
“To check various traffic violations, a Bill proposing amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is likely to be introduced in Rajya Sabha during the coming budget session. In the Bill, it will be proposed that a drunk driver should be awarded a four-year term,” said a police official.
Another official admitted that the police might not find itself in a position to implement the new rule in the absence of adequate equipment and manpower. The department is already reeling under staff crunch.
Another police official said police officials were hardly left with any time to enforce measures as VIP duties kept them preoccupied and they had no time to check drunk driving.
The problem intensifies during wedding season as the police officials are compelled to spend time in manoeuvring traffic jams and ensuring smooth flow of vehicles.
“It becomes difficult for the officials if the marriage function is being organised by some VIP,” says another police official.
“Also, during international matches at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, we have to literally sweat it out,” he added.
In case of some international event at the stadium, security arrangements begin several days prior to it, resulting in diversion of the police force.
The official added that another problem bugging the department was that the state and national highways cut through the length and breadth of the district which helped law breakers escape easily. It became difficult for the Mohali police to set up barricades on the highway. Long duty hours, too, leave them fatigued.
The traffic police remains on its toes for 12 hours (from 8 am to 8 pm). Most of the incidents of drunk driving take place after 8 pm.
Mohali SP (Traffic) Swarandeep Singh said the Mohali Police would take steps to check drunk driving. Nakas would be set up and challans would be issued to violators.
He added that the alcometer which did not work properly would be repaired. “We have demanded more alcometers from the higher authorities,” he added.
The SP said a police team would educate truck drivers about the demerits of drunk driving.