After the 11.30 deadline in pubs and hotels, revellers continue drinking at private places
After the 11.30 deadline in pubs and hotels, revellers continue drinking at private places
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Alcometers to check alcohol levels in the bloodstream in short supply |
Pubs and restaurants may close at 11.30 pm, but it does not mean most party-goers stop drinking. Most of them head for house parties or just drink in their cars.
Priya Mani, an event manger said, "Though event management companies don't organise all-night parties, people still go to house parties where they serve unlimited booze and they get heavily drunk."
This helps explain the increasing number of drunken driving cases in the city,u00a0
"Bangalore has registered the highest number of drunken driving cases in India last year," says M N Srihari, traffic expert.
In fact the number of cases have been steadily increasing over the years. Even frequent efforts by the police to curb such incidents have not deterred offenders," he said. However out of the 12,673 cases last year, only 6,202 cases were booked with the police.
"The problem here is that the law is not strict enough. And the traffic policeu00a0 do not have enough Alco meters to catch drunk drivers," Sreehari said.
He added, "Especially in hit and run cases, the offence should not be taken lightly. The offenders' licences should be cancelled and they should also get a jail term."
Raman Iyer, a professor who witnessed a hit and run case, said, "Some serious cases should be publicised so that the motorists think twice before they drink and drive."
He suggested, "Even if nobody is killed, a couple of nights in a lock-up with some unsavory elements would bring down drunken driving."u00a0
The law says ...lIf alcohol in the blood exceeds 30 mg per 100 ml, the person will have to face a fine of Rs 2,000 or a 6-month imprisonment.
lIf caught for a second timeu00a0 in 3 years, you could be jailed for 2 years, fined Rs 3,000 or both.
