By Our Reporter
Shillong: The Shillong Traffic Police (STP) has sought for procurement of modern equipments like alcometers (breath analyzers) to keep a tab on incidents of drunk driving in the city.
“We have sent a proposal for procurement of modern alcometers to carry out spot testing of drivers,” Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Herbert Lyngdoh Qtold reporters here on Wednesday.
The Traffic department had, seven years ago, purchased some out-dated breath analysers, but those equipments were never used and were recently sent for repair.
Citing Tuesday’s incident where three young ladies were arrested for drunk driving and creating nuisance in the city, Lyngdoh said that in the absence of a functional alcometer, suspected drunk drivers are usually taken to hospitals for tests which usually leads to delays due to which the results are not generally accurate.
On checking of rash and drunk driving in the city, the Additional SP said, “We are enforcing the rule as far as speed limit and rash driving is concerned. Mobile courts are also being organised especially on the weekends.”
“Just last week, we conducted a surprise checking along the Shillong-Cherrapunjee road and in and around the city as well and managed to apprehend many drivers on charges of drunk driving, creating nuisance and other unwanted activities inside their vehicles,” Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, the Additional SP provided statistics, while claiming that compared to last year, the number of accident-related cases in the city has come down.
Till March this year, a total of 78 accident cases were registered in the city as compared to 161 in 2011, he informed, while adding that the number of fatal accidents has come down to 18 from 44 last year.
He further informed that as far as serious injuries are concerned, the number of incidents has come down to 34 from 38 last year; cases of minor injuries has decreased from 63 in 2011 to 21 this year; non-injury cases has dropped to 3 from 16 last year; persons injured has reduced to 90 from 217 last year and the number of persons killed in accidents has come down to 19 from 54 last year.
Speaking about the fines being imposed in cases related to drunk and rash driving, Lyngdoh said for drunk driving the fine could go up to Rs 2000 and for excessive speeding, the fine ranges from Rs 400 onwards depending on the level of speed.
The Traffic official also mentioned that with the crackdown on tinted glasses, the number of drunken driving cases has reduced in the city.
“We are also keeping track of under-age driving in the city”, he added.
Appreciating public efforts in maintenance of traffic rules, he said, “We have received many complaints from people regarding rash driving and the likes.”
He also stated that with the help of the social media like Facebook, complaints, suggestions and comments are pouring in everyday which has helped the Traffic branch to react to many traffic-related cases.
He also stated that with an addition of 20 per cent of man power to the STP work would become better and more efficient.
Highlighting on the health and safety of traffic policemen, Lyngdoh said, “We are sending a proposal for acquiring modern equipments for the safety of the traffic personnel like face masks, light jackets and others.”