Many lose permit in Telangana for drunk driving

Hyderabad: Driving when drunk is the major cause for suspension of licences. Some 2,117 licences were suspended a majority being from Hyderabad.

A total of 13,971 driving licences have been cancelled in the state in the last five years for various reasons by the Road Transport Authority.

Other major reasons for the suspension of licences are speeding, overloading, carrying people in goods carriages, using a mobile phone while driving, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, accidents, and court cases.

Experts from the Indian Federation of Road Safety say that Hyderabad has the most effective checking for drunk driving and is the only city where the accused is given imprisonment if proven guilty in court.

Mr Vinod Kanumala, chairman, Indian Federation of Road Safety, said that the large number of suspensions was due to better enforcement of the rules. “Hyderabad has one of the best enforcements of drunk driving in comparison with other violations. However, this can be improved further and all  violations should pass through the courts, like the drunk and driving cases, as that will instil fear in the violators.”

Around 720 licences were suspended of drivers using mobile phones while driving, and 87 licences were suspended for speeding. Though the traffic department checks for violations, it is the transport department that is the final authority to suspend the licence.

Once a licence is suspended, the driver can make an application for renewal of the licence six months after the date of the suspension under the rules.