The threat of drunk driving: no license to kill

Amid the growing threat of drunk driving in the city, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also called for tougher measures, suggesting that driving licenses for those who drive under the influence of alcohol or repeatedly commit violent crimes be revoked. traffic rules should be revoked.

Speaking at the launch of 65 new ambulances as part of the ‘Chief Minister’s Emergency’ Ambulance service“To reduce the number of road deaths,” he said, “despite strict traffic rules, many continue to flout them, leading to tragic consequences for innocent lives.

Siddaramaiah stressed the need for stricter punishment, especially for drunk driving and using mobile phones while driving, to reduce accidents. He asked Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to ensure that habitual offenders are subject to licence cancellation.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told BM: “Drunk driving is one of the most common offences leading to violence on our roads, and stricter measures of driving licence cancellation for repeat offenders will be implemented.”

Power of disqualification
As per the Indian Motor Vehicle Act, the licensing authority has the power to disqualify a person from holding a driving license or revoke it if certain conditions are fulfilled.

After giving the licensee an opportunity to be heard, the authority may take this measure if it is satisfied that the person is a habitual criminal, a habitual drunkard or a person habitually dependent on narcotics or psychotropic substances within the meaning of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.

This ensures that people who pose a risk to public safety due to such habits are not allowed to drive.

1,146 cases
In a recent special campaign targeting drivers and passengers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, conducted by all traffic police stations, a total of 1,146 cases were registered in just one week. The city has seen an increase in cases of drunk driving and other drunk driving-related offences.

The traffic police submitted a proposal to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), demanding the complete cancellation of driving licenses for repeat drink-driving offenders.

This practice is not new, as the traffic police have regularly subjected the driving licenses of these offenders to cancellation, and their enforcement efforts remain constant.

DCP North Traffic Siri Gowri highlighted the delay in licence cancellations by the RTO, saying, “Not all driving licences submitted for cancellation are processed on time.

Some drivers and motorcyclists evade the system by paying fines while pretending not to have a license, or by presenting a false license and reoffending.

This is a huge challenge, but we are pushing for stricter enforcement and to ensure that repeat offenders face 100% revocation of their driving licence.”