India Gets Tougher on Drunk-Driving Laws

A court in Delhi ruled that authorities can revoke drivers’ licenses from motorists driving under the influence of alcohol. Seventy percent of the 130,000 annual road fatalities in India are caused by drunk drivers. Similar measures in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) have decreased the number of fatal accidents.

The BBC reports that according to the new guidelines, Delhi police will have the authority to take away the license of anyone driving under the influence of alcohol. The offender would then have to appear before the transport department, which would decide whether his license should be suspended or revoked.

Recently, the Delhi government proposed several tough measures to deal with drunk driving, including a provision for a fine of up to 50,000 rupees ($1,000) for those caught drinking alcohol in public (by the roadside, inside cars, or outside roadside eating places).

The proposals also include imprisonment without bail for offenders. Campaigners, however, say tough laws alone will not work—what is needed is strict enforcement of the laws.

In the past few months, the city police have been conducting random and frequent spot checks near pubs and restaurants to catch drunk drivers. But correspondents say many offenders still manage to get away either by paying bribes or because they are influential.