Alcohol Abuse Advice

Drinking and Driving in India

Drink driving is said to be common among drivers after sunset. There are 5-6 truck accidents on Sher Shah Suri Mag between New Delhi and Ambala Cantt at different places daily. Almost 50% of these accidents are due to drunken driving. Most of the Indian truck drivers involved in drugs too. Car owners use to attend dinners and get drunk, indulge in fast driving and are unable to control the vehicle and face accidents. It is estimated that about 60-65% of accidents are being caused because of drunk driving and one wheeling during night and early hours of morning. A survey about driving n India found that more than 50% of cars are driven by drivers who had used alcoholic drinks. Students of schools and colleges mix drink with driving for excitement and face accidents. Speed thrills and fast driving but kills is very much applicable to this group of drivers. The practice of drink driving is increasing among students and youngsters. Drink driving in India among women has also increased. A report under the title “High spirits take toll on the roads of Bangalore” shows that driving with drugs and alcohol is common among Bangalore people on Sundays and Saturdays leading to accidents.

The Bangalore city reports highest number of accident happens on weekends between 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm and this could be for any kind of reason other than drink driving. According to city police, 580 accidents occur in 1993, 110 accidents were on Saturday nights and an average of 70-90 accidents were reported on other week days. Nowadays, drink driving in India has become very common. What are most difficult factors to determine whether the accident was because of drinking? The drivers invariably escape, only to be found later when alcohol effect would have damaged their body. The people at accident spot focus on taking injured to hospital rather than blaming driver and if they do find driver somewhere, he would be beaten badly. Near the swanks pubs which are considered as the toast of the city, little bars have sprung up on the highways causing accidents on these dangerous roads.

There is not a single highway in India where no accident occurs during 24 hours. The best way to avoid accidents is to check drink driving in India. The abundance of bars and liquor shop on highways are main causes of rising fatal accidents on highways. Buses and truck parked near liquor shops is a common sight. In bigger cities like Delhi and Mumbai, there are tests to check drink driving. And also there are no such services available on highways. And no special equipments to detect effectively on drink driving in India. The traditional way of blowing into a balloon has become outdated. It is desirable that excise departments to be checked by liquor shops and bars to create highways safe for drivers and people moving on roads. Although the rules and laws to check drink driving do exist in India, there is a need to effectively apply these laws.