Most drunk driving cases reported from 2-7am, say Delhi traffic cops

The city’s roads are the most dangerous between 2am and 7am, when inebriated drivers are returning home from late night parties, Delhi Traffic Police data shows.

In the last five years, the ‘golden hour’ where maximum cases of drunk driving were reported changed from between 12am and 2am, to 2am and 7am. Since all the police drives are over maximum by 2am, these drivers go unchecked and the roads turn into deathtraps.

“Most of the drivers who are challaned in drunk-driving drives are caught during early hours and most of them are returning from parties and get-togethers. Many are in such conditions that they cannot even keep their eyes open when the police officials stop them. In that state they do not even hesitate in running over the cops, let alone a normal person walking on the roads,” said special commissioner of police (traffic), Sandeep Goel.

Last year, 25,958 fines were issued for drunk driving. This year, till June 13, 14,000 fines have been issued. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, 25678, 26,633 and 29,584 challans were issued for the offence.

On early Monday morning, three people were mowed down by a drunk driver, speeding through west Delhi’s Janakpuri. Two of them lost their lives, and one is critically injured.

To tighten the noose around these drivers, the traffic police conducted a 12-hour drive on June 2, this year. Instead of the usual two-hour drive, cops were stationed from 9pm to 9am (next day).

If a person is found behind the wheel in a drunk state, he can be imprisoned for as much a six months and and/or a fine of R2000.

“Drunk driving is not a small offence. It usually costs lives, and that is what happened in this case too. We are doing everything we can to control it. From issuing court challans to seizing licences and conducting counseling sessions for offenders,” Goel said.

Challans issued in the last five years:

2012: 25,678

2013: 26,633

2014: 29,584

2015: 25,958

2016 (till June 13): 14,000