After the Traffic Sentinel Scheme; Jail without Bail for drunken drivers has also seen several violators prosecuted. The two drives against traffic violators have created quite an impact. Around 3,161 drivers caught driving the vehicle under influence of alcohol, are convicted with some facing maximum 10 days imprisonment.
As per statistics shared by the Traffic Department, over 5,000 drunken drivers have been booked this year till date, and nearly all cases were referred to the court for orders. “Around 3,161 are convicted for the offense. They are either directed to pay fine or sentenced till the rising of the court, or face jail. Some have faced jail for a day, one week and even 10 days,” Superintendent of (Traffic) Police Dinraj Govekar told Herald.
The Goa police are also assessing the drunken driving accidents, to submit to the court damage and/or casualty the accidents cause. Director General of Police Muktesh Chander is conducting an exhaustive study that also comprises of collecting data from bigger cities on the total drunken driving offenders sent to jail.
From mid-this year, all field officers were instructed to book cases and prepare reports to be submitted to the court citing the seriousness of each case. “We will not spare any drunken driving offender,” he was quoted as saying.
Besides imprisonment, suspension of the license is also on the priority list with Transport Department already suspending hundreds of licenses till date. Violators caught in three other serious offenses – over speeding, talking on mobile while driving and jumping red-handing – are also liable for suspension of license.
Concerned by the rising number of road accident deaths, a Supreme Court-appointed panel in 2015 had directed state governments and union territories to commence a crackdown on violators of traffic norms, including imprisonment and suspension of driving licenses. It had also stated that driving under the influence of liquor or drugs can also lead to jail terms of six months, even for the first offence.
“We are determined to make sure that a violator does not go scot free by mere paying fine. He/she should be behind bars for maximum 6 months or even one week and once it begins to happen, no person will dare to take law for granted,” Chander had told Herald.
