Maharashtra Government has to take a major blame for increased drunk driving cases in Mumbai. By giving permissions to thousands of bars/permit rooms in Mumbai the government is inciting and tempting the public to take to alcohol consumption. People who drive back home from work have to pass through many such permit rooms. They are tempted to enter these bars, consume drinks and drive back home. If there are no bars/permit rooms no one will drink in these bars and drive. Intoxicating substances like alcohol are not always under self control of an individual. It is the constitutional obligation (article 47) of the government to restrict the availability of alcohol. There is a separate law in Maharashtra. Rule 70-D of Bombay Foreign liquor Rules 1953, which are issued under Bombay Prohibition Act 1949. As per this law a liquor permit is necessary for the purchase, possession transport, and consumption of liquor of any type. It is illegal to sell alcohol to those without liquor permits in Maharashtra.
The irony is that in Mumbai alone roughly around 40 lakh people consume alcohol on regular or occasional basis. But hardly a few thousands hold liquor permits. It is one of the biggest open violations of law and illegal act on a large scale. Without tackling the problem at the source and implementing the existing liquor permit laws , why only those who drink and drive are being blamed? It is like bolting the stable after the horses have fled.
I used to be surprised that although Kerala is known for its love for alcohol, compared to other states, accident caused by drunken driving are far less. Recently when I was in Ernakulam I saw why - there are policemen outside almost every bar, and as soon as ppl come out and start their vehicles, they stop them, and chk them for alcohol levels - if the levels are too high, they contact the person's house and make sure that some one comes and picks them up. I am not aware if this is the arrangement with all bars, but this practice that I saw in at least five bars and it was commendable - as there was one more plus point - knowing that the police are just outside, the ppl inside the bars were behaving themselves, and also I did not see any minors coming in (as I do in other states).
Although policemen are notorious for their attitudes everywhere in the country, I was amazed at this arrangement.
My suggestion:Same law should be applied in India as in Dubai people should be given licence and they can use it to buy stuff and they can drink only at home this will cut down the corruption and lot of drink and drive cases.
1) Cancel license after the very first offence. 2) Cancel the passport, deny registration to run businesses and employment opportunities. 3) Post policement at places where there is a concentration of bars. 4) Offenders who kill and maim should get at least 3 years RI. 5) Killer drivers should be made to care for the families of the victims for at least 10 years. 6) Parking space should not be available in the vicinity of watering holes.
This is a good idea, but the issue is the safety of the person being taken by the cab drivers. i mean if a girl gets drunk and taken by the cab driver to home.
Sure a more practical way should be thought out of it.
Whenever caught driving in a drunken state, heavy penalty must be imposed and license should be cancelled for lifetime. Yes, I have said "cancelled for lifetime."
