Travelling in a private bus can be really unsafe in the city. And if the number of drivers being booked daily for drunk driving in the city and its suburbs is any indication then the threat is very grave. On Monday, in a surprise check conducted by Aluva Police as per the direction of DySP Y R Rustom, 16 including eight drivers, were found under the influence of alcohol during the trip. Police carried out checking at three points, which fall under the jurisdiction of Aluva East Police Station, from 5 am.

 

 

Cases were registered cases against the 16, comprising drivers and conductors with private bus services. According to the officers, the checking was carried out after the police obtained a tip-off. Besides drunk driving, the accused have been booked for reckless driving, misconduct towards passengers and cancellation of last trips without any prior notice.

Reckless driving under the influence of alcohol poses threat to the lives of commuters. T B Vijayan inspector said, “Majority of the persons were working even as they nursed a hangover from the holiday bash they had on Sunday.”

“On Sundays bus employees consume liquor. During the medical examination it was found that the alcohol level in their blood was very high,” he added. Police have recommended MVD authorities to suspend the license of the eight bus drivers. Though drivers had consumed alcohol the day before, they were still in an inebriated stage and hence it was a serious issue, said the police officers.

“Surprise checks will continue in the coming days in order to curb this practice,” added Vijayan.

According to officers, these arrests can’t be considered lone incidents since around 50 private bus drivers were caught driving in an inebriated state between January and March this year. However, most of the accused are still driving buses since the Motor Vehicle Department is yet to take any action against them. The officers allege that the MVD has failed to take legal action against several people who had been booked for drunk driving. Police officers add that drunk driving by private bus drivers is increasing by the day. “The private bus drivers are confident that they can easily get out of the case since the bus owners or their unions always come to their aid,” said an officer.

Officers pointed out that private buses come in second place in causing accidents in the city after two-wheelers. According to the data available with city police, of the 2,561 mishaps in 2015, 299 were caused by private buses while KSRTC buses were involved in only 62 incidents.

How much alcohol is trouble

  • If a driver consumes 60ml or a ‘large’, the alcohol content would be 100mg
  • Most of those who are booked for drunken driving may have drunk the previous night
  • A driver can be booked if the alcohol content is above 30mg

What Law Says

  • The blood alcohol content (BAC)
  • legal limit is 0.03% or 30 µl alcohol in 100 ml blood
  • Higher penalties were introduced, including fines from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000
  • On 1 March 2012, the Union Cabinet approved proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Act
  • Different penalties are assessed depending on the blood alcohol content at the time of the offence
  • Imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years

Fizzy Facts

Of the 2,561 mishaps in 2015, 299 were caused by private buses while KSRTC buses were involved in 62 incidents

News : The New Indian Express

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