An appeal against Drunk Driving

I want to post a message against Drunk driving as the first post in this New Year 2013.

Now a days the drunk driving is the fashion of the day on the eve of New Year and the persons driving two wheeler and four wheeler take the Law in their hands every year irrespective of the strong measures taken by the  Law enforcement agencies.

I give below  the extracts of some  reports from  News papers about Drunk driving:
The Times of India:
14% jump in drunk driving cases on New Year's EveBy Nitasha Natu, TNN | Jan 2, 2013, 01.18 AM IST
MUMBAI: Mumbaikars - particularly a callous section of the citizenry - don't seem to have learnt a lesson despite the mindless tragedies on road, the sustained campaign by the police and the media, frequent nakabandis and stricter punishments. 

On New Year's Eve, 840 cases of drunk drivingwere recorded by the Mumbai police. It is almost a 14% jump over the 739 cases registered on the same night last year. 

On the outskirts of the city, 688 cases were recorded: 301 in Thane, 175 in Navi Mumbai, 110 in Kalyan and 102 in the Mira-Bhayander-Vasai stretch. 

Police officials, who manned the roads till 6am, said they are stunned. 

After the numerous awareness campaigns, they were hoping the number of driving under influence (DUI) cases would drop. 

"The highest number of offenders was held from the east region (277), followed by the west region (181), the north region (168), the central region (118) and the least in the south region (96)," said additional commissioner Brijesh Singh. 

Business Standard

Man sentenced to five days in jail for drunk driving

Press Trust of India / New Delhi January 02, 2013, 17:45

A man has been sentenced to five days in jail for driving in an inebriated state with a Delhi court saying that his act could have endangered the lives of not only to people on the road but to his life as well.

Dismissing North West Delhi resident Deepak Yadav's appeal against the magisterial court order, which had also imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 on him, Additional Sessions Judge Yashwant Kumar directed that he be taken into custody to serve the jail term.

"Now-a-days, the road accidents are happening due to drunken driving. The quantity of alcohol was found very high after the test conducted by the breath analyser which is much beyond the permissible limit...Which could have been no doubt dangerous and risky for the people on the roads and also to the accused at that time," the ASJ said.

Yadav had moved the sessions court against the magisterial court's October  30, 2012 decision convicting and sentencing him to five days in jail for drunken driving in North West Delhi.

During the trial, the accused told the court that he had pleaded guilty to the offence before the trial court as he was under the impression that only a fine will be imposed upon him and not the jail term.

He deposed before the ASJ that the order of the magistrate should be set aside as he was unable to get any proper legal assistance.

The court, however, dismissed his arguments saying that the accused had voluntarily pleaded guilty before the trial court.

Guardian Media
Man charged with drunk driving as two killed in vehicular accident

Published: 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

SHASTRI BOODAN

Two people are dead following a vehicular accident on Friday night, and a WASA employee has been charged for drunk driving in connection with the tragic incident. Dead are Hassim Ramjohn, 52, of Boundary Road, Felicity, and Katmalie Rampersad, 59, of Chatoorie Street Extension, Felicity.  

The two were occupants in a Toyota Corolla driven by Jagdeo Rampersad along the Uriah Butler Highway, when around 11 pm in the vicinity of the Chase Village Fly Over, the Corolla was struck from the back by a blue Ford Ranger, driven by a man in his 30s from Chaguanas. Ramjohn, an employee of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, died on the spot, while Rampersad, a housewife, succumbed to her injuries at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

The driver of the Ford Ranger was administered the breathalyser by the Freeport police and failed the test. He has since been charged for driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said they are awaiting the outcome of the autopsy. They said based on the findings the driver may be charged for the deaths of the Felicity duo

The above reports clearly indicate that there is increase of  driving by persons under the influence of alcohol which causes very serious accidents sometimes killing others and also the driver.

It is high time to introduce severe punishments including cancellation of driving licence of such persons.

I give below a heart touching poem against drunk driving and wish that a day must come with the least number if not Nil drunk driving.

I went to a party Mom, I remembered what you said. You told me not to drink, Mom, So I drank soda instead. I really felt proud inside, Mom, The way you said I would. I didn't drink and drive, Mom, Even though the others said I should. I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right. Now the party is finally ending, Mom, As everyone is driving out of sight. As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece. Because of the way you raised me, So responsible and sweet.. I started to drive away, Mom, But as I pulled out into the road, The other car didn't see me, Mom, And hit me like a load. As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say, "The other guy is drunk," Mom, And now I'm the one who will pay. I'm lying here dying, Mom.... I wish you'd get here soon. How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.. There is blood all around me, Mom, And most of it is mine. I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time. I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink. It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think. He was probably at the same party as I. The only difference is, he drank And I will die. Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life. I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife. The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, And I don't think it's fair. I'm lying here dying And all he can do is stare. Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave. And when I go to heaven, Mom, Put "GOOD BOY " on my grave. Someone should have told him, Mom, Not to drink and drive. If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive. My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared. Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there. I have one last question, Mom. Before I say good bye. I didn't drink and drive, So why am I the one to die?

(Author-Not known)