Drunk-Driving Checks Back in Vizag after 2 years; 233 Cases Booked

Vizag Traffic Police, who had suspended drink and drive / drunk-driving checks using breathalysers, have resumed this exercise after almost 2 years. To this, drivers will now be randomly asked to take alcohol tests at various checkpoints in the city. This development comes in light of a few recent accidents involving youth drinking, and driving, in the city.  

Speaking to Yo! Vizag, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Ch. Adinarayana, informed that a lot of people have been taking advantage of the suspension of the breathalyser test, in Vizag. “To check these malpractices, we have started this exercise again. The police teams have been stationed at various checkpoints in the city. We randomly flag down drivers and ask them to blow air into a breathalyser which determines the level of alcohol in one’s blood.”

Adding to the aforementioned, the Deputy Commissioner added that areas like Kancharpalem and PM Palem, in Vizag, were witnessing accidents wherein motorists, under the influence of alcohol were ramming into road dividers/medians, electric poles or trees. Recollecting an incident in PM Palem, he said “5 days ago, two fresh graduates, under the influence of alcohol were driving at high speed and rammed on to the divider and passed away on the spot. We want to eliminate such incidents in the future. Therefore we have started this exercise again.” 

Cases Booked

Along with the drunk-driving checks exercise, the Vizag City Police have also started a helmet and dangerous driving initiative in the city. This drive was started on 30 November, 2021. As of Monday, 233 cases of drunken driving, 14,764 cases for driving without a helmet, and 97 cases for dangerous driving, have been booked in the city. 

Covid-19 Protocol

The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) assured that the police officials are maintaining all the Covid-19 protocols in the larger interests of the city. “Across the city, we have set up over 30 police checkpoints. At all the checkpoints, we have ensured that all the police are wearing masks, sanitize frequently, and maintain social distance while dealing with the drivers.”

The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), representing the city traffic police, requests all the citizens to drive diligently and avoid driving after consumption of alcohol.