Nashik : The city traffic police have intensified their crackdown on drunk driving, with the number of cases this year rising to more than three times last year’s figure.
A total of 101 drunk drivers were booked between Jan 1 and Oct 31 last year, according to senior police officers. During the same period this year, cases were registered against 336 drivers. Two years back in Nov 2024, a couple riding a bike on the Gangapur Road was hit by a car in the afternoon. A 31-year-old woman was also killed when hit by a drunk car driver in July 2024.
Superintendent of police Madhav Reddy said the police have enough breath analysers to detect offenders and warned motorists that those driving under the influence face a high likelihood of being caught. “The action will continue in the future as well,” he added. Many motorists said liquor stores drew the largest evening crowds among shops along the streets, raising concerns about drinking and driving. “The number of police personnel and of the officers of the regional transport office (RTO) is lower on the roads at night as compared to the day, which leaves plenty of room for motorists addicted to drinking to drink and drive,” a resident said. Hence, motorists should ensure that they do not drink and drive in their own interest and the interest of others,” a police officer said.
Acting under the guidance of commissioner of police Sandeep Karnik, the city police are taking sustained measures to curb the menace. They urged traffic police to act against drunk drivers daily to deter the offence. The passers-by who gathered at the spot found that the woman driving the car was drunk. She was later handed over to the police. “Drunk driving impairs a person’s ability to drive a vehicle.