Jharkhand News: Stricter DUI checks, breathalysers help curb road mishaps in Palamu
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Advertisement Daltonganj, May 1: There was a 60 per cent decline in road accidents in April in…
SDPO Sadar Mani Bhushan Prasad (first right) taking breathalyzers from a functionary of Fairmine Carbons Pvt Ltd along with the traffic incharge Samal Ahmad in Daltonganj
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, May 1: There was a 60 per cent decline in road accidents in April in Palamu, as January and February were the worst months for road accidents here. March had cases of deaths in road accidents but again it was far below the figures of casualties of January and February 2025.
Such was the spate of the road accidents that even pilgrims either going to Maha Kumbh Mela or coming back from there had mishaps of various nature like a mini bus going turtle soon after it had embarked on its Maha Kumbh Mela journey in Panki in Palamu. The pilgrims who were hurt abandoned their pilgrimage.
Now, the marriage season is on and fears run high about road mishaps. The return of Baraat is more vulnerable to road accidents as night-long marriage ceremony revelry drops level of guard and caution on the street.
On average, 7 per cent of cases are of DUI (Driving Under Influence) in Palamu district.
It fluctuates with the season. Sometimes it is 6 per cent and sometimes 8 per cent, depending on the vagaries of nature. But it is below 10 per cent.
This outgoing month April till 29th, a total of 300 breathalyser tests were carried out, in which 21 cases were found DUI.
SDPO Sadar Mani Bhushan Prasad who is the designated Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police too here in Daltonganj, said, “Palamu conducts maximum number of breathalyser tests. It is done in all strictness of the protocol.”
“Seven per cent breathalyser tests were found under DUI in the month of April till 29”, added the police officer.
Breathalyser tests are generally done after sunset till around midnight. It’s a blood alcohol content test for the exhaled breath.
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DUI Peaks in Summer, Truck Drivers Notorious Offenders
Summer is the time when DUI goes up. Men at the wheel drink wine more than water, ostensibly to repel summer fatigue.
It’s beer, wine and spirits. Youngsters go for beer while veterans go for wine. Truck drivers have a great infamy for DUI trend.
Breathalyser tests are produced as evidence in DUI cases.
Persons with a level below 0.05 per cent may not be able to drive safely.
Hefty Fines and Licence Suspension for DUI Offenders
Traffic in-charge Samal Ahmad said, “A person at the wheels who fails the breathalyser test for the first time is fined 10,185 rupees.”
The driving licence of such a person is suspended for three months, said Ahmad.
Repeated offenders of DUI pay fines to the tune of 15,000 rupees along with permanent cancellation of the driving licence.
There is a provision of imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 24 months, added the traffic in-charge.
Fairmine Carbons Donates 20 Breathalysers
A commercial mining company, Fairmine Carbons Pvt Ltd Rajhara, today donated 20 breathalysers to the SDPO Sadar Mani Bhushan Prasad.
Traffic police here had with it only seven breathalysers. Now, with this donation of 20 breathalysers, the number has gone up to 27.
SDPO Mani Bhushan said these breathalysers will be used for DUI on state highway and national highway.
Traffic in charge Samal Ahmad said, “It’s men only who drive under the influence. Women avoid it here in Palamu.”
There are three lady traffic cops who are put on the job for detecting DUI cases.
