25% of road mishap samples test positive for alcohol in state

Drunken driving continues to be a leading cause of road accidents in Himachal Pradesh, with 25% of blood samples sent for analysis testing positive for alcohol consumption. According to data from the traffic, tourist, and railways wing of the Police Department, out of 994 samples analysed in 2024, 229 confirmed alcohol use.

“Road safety is a major concern, especially in a hill state like Himachal. The fact that 25% of the tested samples were positive is alarming,” said Vinod Kumar, Assistant Inspector General of Police.

To address the issue, the police are identifying high-risk areas where drunken driving is rampant. In 2024, Himachal recorded 24,421 road accidents, with around 1,000 cases involving blood sample testing. The highest number of drunken driving cases were found in Shimla (34), followed by Solan (32) and Una (30). Other districts with high cases included Kullu (23), Mandi (20) and Bilaspur (15).

Based on these findings, the police have decided to take stricter measures against habitual offenders. “If repeat offenders are found guilty of drunken driving, we will recommend the cancellation of their driving licenses. In the case of government drivers, we will inform the concerned department for appropriate action,” said Vinod Kumar.

The police also plan to enforce stricter legal action under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which allows for the prosecution and possible imprisonment of offenders. With these steps, authorities hope to curb drunken driving and improve road safety in the state.