Traffic cops go easy on drunk driving

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 9

Even as the traffic police have been observing 30th National Road Safety Week, it has gone easy on drunk driving in the holy city, if the data from the department is anything to go by.

The number of challans of drunk driving has seen a decline in 2018 as compared to 2017. In 2018, the traffic police challaned as many as 846 offenders while in 2017 the number was pegged at 1,015.

Drunk driving has been a menace and cause of majority of road mishaps in the holy city. A number of persons could be seen drinking at public places especially in the Civil Lines area. Amritsar is known for its cuisines. Therefore, heavy rush of people drinking in the open on roadsides or outside famous eateries serving non-vegetarian food is an order of the day while the district administration and the Police Department have turned a blind eye to the menace.

Recently, the police registered a couple of cases of drinking on road sides and at public places. But, more stringent measures are need of the hour.

A former bank manager Anil Vinayak said the people gave scant regard to the traffic norms and drunk driving was rampant in the city. It was a pity that the administration and the Police Department had done nothing significant to eradicate the menace, he added.

“If drinking on the roadside and at public places is so rampant then how can one say that there are no drunk driving instances in the city,” he pointed out.

“The authorities should take note of this and tighten the noose around the violators,” he added.

“Ironically, the police and the administration apparently feel helpless as most of the times, influential people indulge in such acts,” said another resident Sandeep Singh.

While refuting the charge Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Amrik Pawar said, “The police do take action against the offenders. From time to time we have launched campaigns in this regard and take punitive action against drunk drivers.”

“People should also act in responsible manner and desist from indulging acts,” he added.