District police in Alipurduar launched an awareness drive in picnic spots on New Year’s Day to prevent drivers from drinking and driving while carrying picnickers.

In the district, a number of road accidents occur during winter as some drivers carrying picnickers drink and drive.

“From today (Monday), our officers are visiting picnic spots and meeting such drivers to alert them not to consume alcohol. Our teams have gone to these places in the afternoon with breathalysers to check if any driver is drunk,” said Y. Raghuvamshi, the SP of Alipurduar.

He said that if any driver is found intoxicated, the police will not let him drive the vehicle from the picnic spot concerned. The driver will be arrested and fined.

“We also want people in general to be alert. They should also make sure that the driver of their vehicle doesn’t drink during the picnic. Our drive will continue throughout this month,” the senior police officer added.

The initiative, he said, is to ensure the safety of picnickers. “It is good that we didn’t find any driver who had consumed alcohol in any picnic spot on Monday,” said the SP.

In Alipurduar, places like Kunjanagar, South Poro, North Poro, Rajabhatkhawa, South Khayerbari and Phaskowa are popular picnic spots. Thousands visit these places during weekdays and holidays in winters. Groups from neighbouring districts also swarm in these locations for picnics.

Those associated with the transport sector in the district welcomed the initiative.

“It is a good and effective initiative by the police. We believe awareness and monitoring can help reduce accidents,” said a representative of Alipurduar Private Bus Owners’ Association.