Pune: New Year's eve sees many people breaking traffic rules, causing deaths due to road accidents. The Pune traffic police have joined hands with Uber India to launch 'Don’t Drink and Drive' initiative in Pune, to help spread awareness on drunken driving incidents and promote road safety.
The alarming incidents of road accidents is a matter of serious concern. According to the Pune Traffic Control Branch, in 2016, Pune reported 573 cases, which is the highest number of drunken driving cases on New Year’s eve. The number of DUIs (driving under influence) in Pune has witnessed gradual increase from the previous years. With over 1.5 lakh fatalities a year, India accounts for 12.5 per cent of global road accidents, with 55 accidents and 17 deaths occurring every hour. In 2016 alone, 68 per cent victims in road mishaps were in the age group of 18-45 years, and almost 97 per cent of the road accidents are caused by negligent driving, including drunken driving.
Setting another example of how law enforcement authorities and industry can work in unison to tackle the menace of drunken driving, the campaign aims to discourage people from driving under the influence of alcohol during celebrations, especially in December.
Uber and Pune Traffic Police will set up 'Don’t Drink and Drive' barricades and special telephonic booking facilities across the city in December. To discourage people from driving under the influence of alcohol, Uber will offer up to 20 per cent discount on UberGO trips taken between 10 pm to 7 am, all through December.
Ashok Morale, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said, “The barricades provided by Uber would be very useful not only for traffic management but also to drive the message of not drinking and driving. No person should be on the wheel in an intoxicated state and we strongly encourage them to be with a driver.”
Commenting on the joint initiative, Shailesh Sawlani, General Manager, West Region at Uber India said, “Drunken driving is a social evil that puts one’s own life at risk as well as others'. As road safety has emerged as a rising concern throughout India, our partnership with the Pune Traffic Police is an effort to safeguard the city from casualties that can be avoided with the help of necessary precautions. The incidents of DUIs are usually high in December and with this initiative, we wish to tackle the problem with accessible solutions.”
