Port Blair, Aug. 3: Despite repeated instructions published in the media, a number of drivers of different categories of vehicles are still found driving their vehicle under the effect of alcohol. To curb this menace, the A&N Traffic Police had launched intensive checking against drunken driving which can cause tragic accidents, injuries and death. Since 1.1.2012 checking at different places of Port Blair city and the nearby areas of South Andaman Sub Division had been intensified. Six teams of traffic police have been deployed for this task.

During the period from 1.1.2012 to 29.7.2012, 226 two-wheeler drivers, 34 Auto Rickshaw drivers, 23 LMV drivers, 3 bus drivers and 8 heavy vehicle drivers (a total of 294 persons) tested positive and were arrested U/S 184 M.V. Act 1988. Their vehicles were seized and challans were sent to Court. This action will be continued. Therefore, all vehicle drivers are once again warned not to drive vehicles after consuming liquor.

The traffic police has also taken up the cases of these 294 drivers with the licensing authority A & N Islands for suspension of their driving licenses.

People who intend to drive should not be served alcohol by their friends and ‘designated drivers’ should be kept ready who do not drink on that day.

During Traffic Checking, it has also been noticed by the Traffic Police personnel that the Auto Rickshaw and LMV drivers are carrying school children in their Autos and vehicles in many more numbers than the seating capacity. As a result children are found jam-packed in the vehicles which not only obstructs the driver’s ability but also can cause accidents. Apart from this, drivers and conductors of buses are also found allowing school children to travel on the foot-board of buses. This constitutes “dangerous driving”. The drivers of such Auto Rickshaws, LMVs and buses are warned to stop this practice. Hereafter, if anyone is found carrying school children in such a manner, he or she will be fined one thousand rupees for the first offence and for subsequent offences (if committed) will be penalised with an amount which may extend to two thousand rupees in each case.

All Auto Rickshaw, LMV and Bus drivers and conductors etc. are hereby warned to refrain from carrying school children in the aforesaid manner in their respective vehicles while transporting them to school and back.

The Traffic Police also gets frequent complaints about the plying of un-authorized luxury vehicles for transport of tourists and Government officials without tourist permits to the disadvantage of vehicles that are so authorised. The Traffic Police is regularly conducting the retain checking of such luxury vehicles plying without tourist permits. During 2012 till date, a total of 112 such Light Motor Vehicles have been booked by the Traffic Police and an amount of `2,33,000/- (Rupees Two Lakh Thirty Three Thousand only) has been realized as fine.

All Government Departments, Defence Organizations, Hoteliers and Tourists are advised not to engage vehicles which do not have tourist permits for the use of visiting guests or Government officials. The violators will be booked immediately under the relevant section of law if found plying without tourist permits, which will ultimately result in embarrassment and inconvenience to the guests and other travellers.