Kerala plans to cancel driving licences of drunk drivers, says Home Minister Chennithala

Kerala plans to cancel the driving licences of people caught driving drunk, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on 9 November, Mathrubhumi reported.

About 17,000 people have been caught driving under the influence of alcohol so far, he said. Senior police officers are discussing the move with the Transport Minister.

What the police will do

• Checks across the State, with special night operations
• Instructions to every district police chief to act strictly
• Using the model of Operation Thufan, the State’s drive against drugs, for traffic offences

The drug drive

The minister said the second phase of Operation Thufan, called Thufan Care, which focuses on treatment for people addicted to drugs, will begin on 16 November. About 35 hospitals have agreed to take part, and a meeting with them will be held in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mr. Chennithala said data from the State Crime Records Bureau showed a 35% fall in crime. He did not say over what period.

The background

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, licensing authorities can suspend or cancel a driver’s licence for drunk driving. Kerala’s roads see thousands of accidents a year, and drunk driving is one of the causes the police focus on.

What’s next

The Home and Transport departments have to agree on the rules for cancelling licences. Thufan Care begins on 16 November.