Bhubaneswar, Sep 12 : As many as 222 drunk drivers were arrested during a two-day statewide drive against drunk driving conducted by the Transport department in Odisha.
According to a release issued by the state transport department here on Monday a total of 599 people were found driving under the influence of alcohol during the drive against drunk driving across the state from September 7 to September 9.
It said 338 Driving Licenses (DLs) were confiscated for suspension by the directives of the Supreme Court Committee on Road safety.
With COVID-related restrictions lifted by the state government following a drastic dip in cases, the Transport Department along with State Police resumed the drive to check drunken driving in April.
Enforcement staff detained 350 vehicles of the offenders. In strict action, 222 drunk people were detained for the offence and handed to judicial custody for necessary action.
A total 455 prosecution report (PR) has been submitted to courts for further action. Apart from this, 1568 other cases have been detected for violation of the Motor Vehicle Act and a total of 1532 e-challans were issued for various offences.
Despite a set of strict laws and regulations, drunk driving continues to be one of the major reasons behind road accidents in India.
As many as 246 road accidents took place in Odisha in 2021 due to drunken driving. A total of 79 people lost their lives in these incidents and 151 people were injured.
The September 2019 amendment of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 mentions that in the case of drunken driving, first-time offenders will face imprisonment up to six months and/or fine up to Rs 10, 000.
The second offence can lead to up to two years prison term and/or fine of Rs 15,000.