The State Transport Authority (STA) in a special drive against drunk driving from September 7 to 9 across the State, found 599 persons driving under the influence of liquor.
A total of 338 driving licences (DLs) were suspended.
Taking stringent action, 222 people were detained for the offence and sent to judicial custody for necessary action. A total 455 prosecution reports (PRs) were submitted to courts for further action.
Besides, 1,568 other cases were detected for violation of Motor Vehicle Act. A total of 1532 e-challans were issued for various offences.
The Enforcement teams also detained 350 vehicles of the offenders.
With Covid-19-related restrictions lifted by the State Government following a decline in infections, the Transport Department along with State police resumed the drive to check drunken driving
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 fine up to Rs 10, 000. The second offence can lead to up to two years prison term or fine of Rs 15,000.
