Over 1,075 drunk drivers have been flagged down by the traffic branch of Mumbai police in the past 11 days as part of a special campaign to check drunk driving in the city. Officials said conducting the campaign during the lead-up to New Year’s Eve will help bring down potential drunk driving cases.
Police officials said people are in the habit of drinking even on working weekdays. Since kicking-off the campaign at all traffic police divisions in the city on December 17, a total of 1,075 drunken driving cases have been registered within just 11 days of continuous checks.
Even the number of people booked for driving drunk on weekdays is worryingly high. Besides, Mumbaikars mostly drink on Friday and Saturday, which is why the number of cases on these two days is higher than any other day of the week. Most offenders have been caught near JJ flyover, eastern express highway, Mulund, Vikhroli, Sakinaka, Mankhurd and near Marine Drive traffic divisions. This is an indicator of the high level of alcohol being consumed not only in upmarket pubs and clubs of the city, but also by students and youngsters apart from those driving on highways.
Additional Commissioner Vithal Jadhav said, “With the holiday season, there is a general sense of celebration. Many people step out to enjoy with friends or relatives who may be home for a few days. However, driving drunk reflects a totally insensitive attitude towards traffic rules and other people. We have seen an increasing trend in youngsters. We have created 90 teams that will keep check on every point in the city and suburban areas.-"
According to senior police officials, a portion of fatal accidents in the city is actually because of people driving drunk. “There are more people under 28 who are caught driving drunk at checking points. The female count is still very low. It is very bad situation according to our statistics that drinking has actually gone up during weekdays also. Therefore, we are taking strict action now itself to have a normal situation on New Year’s Eve,” an official said.
