Keeping in mind the rising number of drunken driving cases, an NGO has come up with a rationing scheme that would curtail drinking and thus aid in changing the alarming statistics related to accidents and deaths due to drinking and driving.
Delhi-based NGO, Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD)’s solution hints at partial prohibition in the national capital. Amidst a slew of suggestions, the NGO also said that Delhi bars should serve alcohol on alternate days.
CADD suggested that the government should prohibit and limit the sale of alcohol on certain days and times, as well as shut down liquor vends at petrol pumps and malls to restrict easy access to alcohol and bring down road accidents and fatalities.
With the Delhi government already tightening its noose on drinking in the car, also known as ‘car-o-bar’ in the capital, the NGO suggested that if the availability is dented, it will reduce the number of incidents of revelry and injuries due to drunken driving.
The Delhi government will kickstart its campaign against drinking and driving in the first week of November after which there will be a fine of Rs 10,000 or arrest in case of violations. The government is contemplating arrest in worst case scenario.
CADD is a non-profit organisation that has been working from 2001 with a goal of reducing drunk driving and improving road safety. Prince Singhal, founder of CADD, who met Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal with his proposal, said: “Alcohol serves as a major source of revenue to the government exchequer; however, if measured against lives lost due to consumption of alcohol, it is a heavy price to pay. Delhi is uniquely positioned as the capital of the country and, therefore, attracts a large number of tourists and foreign travelers to its bustling nightlife. However, in recent years, it has been noticed that easy access to alcohol is leading to several unhealthy practices such as drunk driving, underage drinking, drinking in public places, bar and pub brawls, and crime against women, making Delhi an unsafe city.”
