Drunk Driving: Offenders To Be Forwarded To Court Instantly In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In its bid for zero tolerance of drunken driving, the Commissionerate of Police has decided not to just slap fines on the offenders but also forward them to the court instantly.

The Twin City Police's decision came in the wake of the resumption of the strict enforcement of on-road traffic regulations from today despite extension of relaxation of new Motor Vehicles Act in the State for three more months.

Speaking to OTV, DCP (traffic) Sagarika Nath said, “We will intensify our drive against drunken driving. Henceforth, the offenders will be sent to the jail instantly apart from penalties that will be levied on them as per the rules.”

Balsore Traffic Police has arrested four persons for allegedly riding bike in inebriated condition. Besides, it has also slapped a total fine of more than Rs 1 lakh on them on charges of violating multiple traffic rules under the new Motor Vehicles Act.

On the other hand, it seems people are least worried about the strict enforcement of the on-road traffic regulations which is evident from scores of instances of motorists getting caught by the police while violating traffic norms.

While some of the offenders expressed their unwillingness to pay fines even after violating the rules, some others were caught openly flouting the norms even after being fined.

“If they want to seize the vehicle let them but I am not going to pay the fine at any cost. I don't want to wear helmet because it’s my choice. Do what you can," a woman commuter said fuming after being levied penalty for not wearing helmet in Cuttack.

“The government makes several announcements but does it really follows. Will the rules always be stricter like this,” she questioned.

A youth in Bhubaneswar alleged that he was unable to pay the fine as traffic police, though issued challan against him for not wearing helmet, could not give him proper address to pay the fine.

The youth, however, did not want to wear helmet even after he was fined by the traffic cops. "I paid a fine of Rs 1000 so why should I wear helmet? I have this challan so I can move around without helmet for 24 hours," he said.

A minor boy was also fined Rs 6,000 for riding two-wheelers without a helmet in Cuttack. “I had to pay a penalty of Rs 6,000 as my son was not wearing helmet while driving the motorcycle,” said SurendraSahu, father of the minor boy.

Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera requested the people to follow the traffic rules and finish all the necessary document works at their respective RTOs within three months.