Police to come down hard on drunk drivers

Main culprits bus and lorry drivers:

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Police commenced strict implementation of the law against drunk drivers from yesterday following the recent spate of accidents chiefly blamed on motorists driving under the influence of liquor.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said their is a significant rise in the number of accidents, where in a majority of cases, those at the wheel were found to be under the influence of liquor.

He said the main culprits were bus and lorry drivers.

SSP Rohana said the Police began strictly implementing the law to make roads safe from drunk drivers from yesterday.

He said the DIG (Motor Traffic) informed police stations islandwide regarding the fresh offensive and a round the clock vigil will be maintained by the Traffic Police to nab errant motorists.

He said an individual caught driving under the influence of liquor can be charged under Sections 151 and 216 of the Motor Traffic Act.

SSP Rohana said accordingly, a person arrested for driving under the influence of liquor, will be fined Rs 2,000 and his driving licence will be suspended for a year.

“In the case where the offender is a driver of a passenger transport vehicle, a fine of Rs 3,000 will be imposed in addition to a six month jail term and the cancellation of the driving licence,” he said.

A motorist driving under the influence of liquor and causing injury to a passenger will be liable to a five year jail term in addition to a fine of Rs 5,000 and cancellation of the licence.

A 10 - year prison term and the cancellation of the driving licence awaits a drunk driver who causes the death of a person, SSP Rohana said.

Meanwhile, owners of vehicles who employee drunk drivers are also liable for prosecution.