Don’t drive drunk, take a cab: NGOs tell New Year revellers

NEW DELHI - It is that time of the year again when people in Delhi are in high spirits and set to party into the wee hours to usher in the New Year, prompting some NGOs to educate revellers about responsible drinking and merrymaking.

While some NGOs are tying up with various pubs and bars to provide cabs to party animals, others are educating people through internet and providing them an insight into how drunk driving can be dangerous.

We have launched a week-long drive against drunk driving in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore to educate people to assign a designated driver whenever they are out partying. The drive will continue till Dec 31, Prince Singhal, founder president of Community Against Drunken Driving (CADD) told IANS.

The NGO has tied up with around 100 taxi operators in each city and is providing cabs to the merrymakers who do not wish to drive back home.

An SMS and e-mail campaign to educate people has also been launched by the NGO.

We are receiving a fantastic response and people are showing a lot of interest. In Delhi, around 350 people have booked their cab, the figure is 750 in Mumbai and 56 in Pune. Local police authorities are also assisting us in this campaign, Singhal added.

Pubs and bars have also put up posters educating people about the hazards of drunk driving.

A one-minute film titled ‘Alcohol - the wrong fuel for driving’ will also be screened at regular intervals at these venues, said Singhal.

The internet world is also being used as a medium to spread the message of responsible drinking.

A website named “Talking Alcohol” which discusses topics ranging from alcohol responsibility to how it affects the human body.

Meanwhile, Delhi traffic police have braced themselves up for New Year’s eve and decided to deal strictly with those driving under the influence of alcohol.

Apart from fines up to Rs.2,000, the drunk drivers may get their driving licence suspended or they could even be jailed, said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

All motorists are advised to follow speed limits and not indulge in racing. Reckless and dangerous driving should be avoided, said a traffic police advisory.