Drive soon against drunk driving on highways

HYDERABAD: The Road Transport Authority is planning to launch a drive against drunken-driving on highways in all districts to reduce accidents.According to officials sources, officials have been told to prepare a comprehensively action plan in view of the high number of deaths in road accidents in the state.Taking inspiration from the Greater Hyderabad traffic police, the road transport department is planning to extend the drive to other districts.The drive against drunken driving by the Hyderbad traffic police has become successful with many, including film stars and other celebrities, being caught and, as a result, the number of accidents on city roads declining.According to the government, over 15,000 persons are dying in over 50,000 road accidents every year on highways and state roads.The district road safety committees have realised the severity of the problem and sent a report to the government.What has come as a shock is that 40 percent of the accidents occur due to drunken driving.Due to staff shortage the department has not taken up the drive against drunken driving in districts.Recently, the government has taken a decision to recruit 40 assistant motor vehicle inspectors and 250 Home Guards and decided to allot them to the RTC to check illicit operations by private vehicles and to check speeding vehicles across the state.According to sources, the department is planning to purchase breath analysers and speed guns for the twin purposes.The government has issued a notification to recruit 218 AMVIs and 200 constables to the transport department.