NT NETWORK
PANAJI
Police personnel have reacted positively to the recent Supreme Court judgment banning all liquor shops within 500 metres of the national and state highways across the country and have also described it as a good decision.
“Banning liquor shops along the roads was the need of the hour,” said an officer referring to the rise in the number of cases of drunk driving. Another officer said that to a certain extent, the apex court order will extend help in controlling accidents, which occur owing to drunk driving.
“Those who want to drink liquor will definitely look for the outlets even if it is in the interiors or would carry liquor along,” said an officer adding, “however, there will be reduction as liquor outlets will not be easily accessible. In the current scenario, it is an easy access to liquor outlets, which are located along the national and state highways.” Going by the statistics, in the last couple of years the cases pertaining to drunk driving have seen an exponential rise owing to the strict enforcement drives undertaken by police.
In 2011, there were around 831 cases booked for riding/driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2012, there were 712 cases whereas in 2013 there were around 323 cases of drunk driving.
However, from 2014 onwards, the number of cases has increased and it is largely attributed to the accidents that occurred in July 2014 in the city. A lady car driver had allegedly under the influence of alcohol driven in the wrong lane and knocked down a motorcycle, leaving two seriously injured. The accident prompted authorities to intensify the drive against drunk driving/riding and it was evident from the fact that prior to July 2014, there were hardly around 40 cases (January to July). The number of cases, however, touched the 3000-mark by December, the same year. Similarly, last year, there were around 3,675 such cases, while this year till November, police have booked around 2,191 cases for riding/driving under the influence of alcohol.