Last Saturday the State police conducted a special drive to ferret out tipsy drivers. Of the 1,358 random checks conducted, 161 were found to have blood alcohol concentration of more than 30 mg / 100 ml. The fact that only 161 were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol is good news for a State that has a reputation for being quite liberal with its alcohol. As far as percentages go about 12 per cent of those behind the wheel were found to be tipsy which dents the assumption that practically everyone drinks and drives, the only debating point being, how much? The State administration and the police have been under pressure to do something about the spurt of deaths on the road due to accidents and the sudden drive against drunk driving is perhaps, a reaction to it. While surprise tests are essential it would be better if alcohol tests are conducted as a matter of routine rather than the exception. This would eventually make even the remaining 12 per cent take the rules more seriously. Presently, the fine against drunk driving is Rs 2,000 and there is a proposal to raise it to Rs 10,000. High fines make sense only if combined with regular testing and the police must carry on with random tests, hopefully throughout the year.
