The number of drink driving prosecutions in Calcutta on Christmas Eve went up by one-third of what was reported last year on this day.
Police said 89 motorists were prosecuted for drink driving on Christmas Eve across Calcutta, while last year the number of such cases was 67.
The police said 459 people were prosecuted on Sunday for violating traffic norms across the city. Out of those, 131 were prosecuted for riding without helmets.
Maximum violations were reported from pockets of south Calcutta followed by Chittaranjan Avenue in the north and by EM Bypass, police said.
“Majority of the drink driving cases were reported in parts of south Calcutta like Theatre Road, Loudon Street, Russell Street and Camac Street areas that fall under the East and South traffic guard areas,” said an officer of
Calcutta police’s traffic department.
The other violations were reported in pockets of Burtolla in north Calcutta and on stretches in Pragati Maidan off the Bypass, Kasba and Esplanade areas, the police said.
Out of the 459 motorists who were prosecuted for traffic offences on Christmas Eve,
131 motorcyclists were prosecuted for riding without helmets, 93 for rash and dangerous driving, 84 for riding with more than one pillion rider on a two-wheeler and 62 for signal violations and unauthorised parking.
Several police officers who were on duty on Christmas Eve said several motorists who were asked to blow through breathalysers for the alcohol test sought an excuse of the festivities.
“We have special teams to handle such cases. We have to ensure that maximum motorists undergo the alcohol test, especially on festive
days, to prevent accidents,” said an officer posted in south Calcutta.
There were many, however, who chose to abide by the law and avoided driving after visiting pubs and nightclubs on Christmas Eve.
“I always hire a driver when I go to a party. There is no point being reckless at the wheel,” said a Ballygunge resident.
In Salt Lake and New Town areas, police arrested 42 persons on Christmas Eve for a variety of rule violations including, driving under the influence of alcohol, unruly behaviour and creating nuisance.
A senior officer of the Bidhannagar Commissionerate said that a majority of the people who had been arrested were riding two-wheelers intoxicated and were without helmets.
“Most of these arrests have been made on the VIP Road and Major Arterial Road. Several have also been picked up from pubs and bars in Sector V for unruly behaviour,” the officer said.
According to Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, a person can be imprisoned for up to six months or asked to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 if alcohol exceeding 30mg per 100ml is detected in the bloodstream through a breathalyser test. Second and subsequent offences can lead to imprisonment for two years or a fine of Rs 3,000.