BASURI DESAI
basuri@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Demonetisation hit the traffic cell drive on drunken driving last year. The drive against drunk and driving that had been rigorously implemented in 2016, was reduced in intensity due to demonetisation but has been again restarted by the traffic cell.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dharmesh Angle said the drive was re-started across the State last Monday, with drivers being tested for alcohol content through use of alcometers.
“We have 52 working condition alcometers all over Goa in all the units. As per size and the staff availability we have given the meters. All staff has been sensitised to book drunk and driving cases,” Angle said.
The traffic cell has 52 alcometers and Police Stations all over the State have 23 alcometers as per Goa Police.
In 2016 there were 2700 cases of drunk driving booked while this year so far 463 have already been registered by the traffic police. Angle claims the cases will reduce in number if the Supreme Court guidelines are strictly implemented by the state government. Because of its low price and easy availability, liquor consumption in Goa is high compared to other states. Consumption is also high among tourists.
In 2016 there were 336 fatal accidents of which 96 were self accidents claiming 96 lives. Traffic Cell officers believe that most of the fatal self accidents would have been due to drunken driving.
The Traffic Cell has 14 units all over Goa in Panjim, Mapusa, Ponda, Margao, Vasco, Calangute, Anjuna, Dabolim Airport, Quepem, Curchorem, Canacona, Pernem and Bicholim.
Meanwhile, the Private Passenger Bus body, said that a system should be put in place before liquor shops are banned on highways. They added that some control will exist if there is a ban on liquor shops along highways.
All Goa Private Bus Owners Association General Secretary Sudip Tamankar said enforcing agencies like Transport Department and Traffic Cell should be transparent to actively act against drunken driving.
