Anyone who has lived in countries like U.S. (and some other countries) would know that how seriously the police and law enforcement authorities take drinking and driving over there.
DUI(Driving Under Influence), irrespective of whether you cause any accident or not is punishable with imprisonment and fines and all other things that go along with it (like very high legal fees, revoked drivers license, rehabilation program.)
I know people who would not care so much about drinking and driving in India because they know laws are lenient, cops can be bribed and they can get away with it.
Same people would not do it in a country where it is a serious punishable offence
If there is thing in our culture that we are committing a crime when we do it and we might may a heavy price for it, it will deter a lot of people from doing it and make them more responsible about it.
I am speaking of Zero Tolerance driving rule of SWEDEN as an example which is one of the country with lowest vehicular accident deaths in the world. The rules are so strictly followed (both by people and the Police) that the driver of the vehicle (mostly the owner) absteins from drinking in a party. While taking a licennse, all the rules and regulations are extensively understood and hazards of drink-driving course has to be undergone by any license seekers. But the question is who is really serious about these in India??
Bars perhaps should have an official who checks if the person is sound enough to drive a car or bike. It's cheaper than having CCTVs all around the city which can only identify culprit...but cannot save life of innocent.
Re: bars
by Ajit Birdi on Nov 03, 2012 11:28 PM
Bars are not law enforcers,a drunk if challenged by the bar person will face abuse and may be beaten up as well. This is the job of the police. If a drunken driver dies because of access drinking that is of no worry, it is his/her own doing it is other they kill is what matters. there should be a zero tolerance which should carry a strict imprisonment, a hefty fine and a ban from driving for life.
There were so many cases of accident death and why only she has been sentenced and others are still roaming free. Because the victims are police officer thatswhy and the lady doesn't have any high influence behind her. What she got is correct but the punishment should be common for everybody. If she can be booked others also need to be booked who are involved in similar cases. First correct the law and then everything will automatically streamlined.
Vechiles should be installed with a alcohol software coupled to auto ignition system. each time you start your vehicle, you need to blow air to the device to check if are drunk.
Our Laws are such, everybody can escape, by just bribing. We need strict laws, impounding of driving licence for a minimum period of five years.Imprisonment for minimum three years Plus heavy fine of not less than 5 Lacs of rupees. Similarly, if minor drives, parents should be held responsible and the same yardstick should be applied to them also.
First & formost there is NO Civic Sense in our country than from where you will get Road Sense. People of our country has no fear of Law so its no sense. Its IMPOSSIBLE INDIA & not INCREDIBLE INDIA what we call. I am sorry to say. But you all will agree to me.
First and formost people of India don't have CIVIC SENSE than from where they will get ROAD SENSE. Every Indian should have a fear of Law which is not there in our country.
In other countries if caught driving drunk the license is impounded for at least 1 year. Enforce this rigorously by informing the parents of such offenders and soon you will see a drop in these incidences
Re: follow the lead of other countries
by Ashwin on Nov 03, 2012 12:05 PM
If the Licence is impounded for one yr, it is very easy to get another Licence, in the same name, in the neighbouring State or even in the same State or even in the same RTO Office, if you have the right kind of money/connection. OR the impounded Licence itself could be duplicate. OR keep driving without a Licence for one yr & if caught, just flash Rs.100 note & our generous Police will exonerate any one for any crime. That is what precisely our Politicians are preaching by practicing such issues practically so that people can follow them. Any contendors?
