Lack of Nighttime Police Checks Contributes to Fatal Road Accidents in Guwahati

Strategic Insights -

Concerned city dwellers in Guwahati have raised concerns over the lack of consistent and widespread police checks against "drink and drive" at night, which they believe is a major loophole contributing to fatal road accidents, including hit-and-run cases. The concerns come in the wake of a recent hit-and-run incident on July 25, which has reminded residents of a similar case that took place in October 2021 involving a model, Rajkanya Baruah. Residents are urging the police to conduct checks throughout the year and round the clock, and even engaging local public assistance if necessary.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lack of consistent and widespread police checks against "drink and drive" at night is a major concern among city dwellers in Guwahati.
  • Residents believe that this is a significant loophole contributing to fatal road accidents, including hit-and-run cases.
  • A resident, Dhrubajyoti Sarma, suggested introducing a "TEAM" under local police stations dedicated solely to conducting checks and drives.
  • Private employee S Goswami expressed concern over night travel due to over-speeding vehicles and inconsistent police checks against drink and drive.
  • A police source acknowledged that campaigns against "drink and drive" violations are conducted throughout the year, but intensified during festival seasons.
  • The source revealed that checks against drink-and-drive are less intense after midnight and typically occur between 7 pm and midnight using breath analyser tests at random locations.

Statistics:

  • The recent hit-and-run incident occurred at 2:30-3 am.
  • The previous hit-and-run case involving Rajkanya Baruah took place in October 2021.
  • The police conduct breath analyser tests at random locations from 7 pm to midnight.
  • Campaigns against "drink and drive" violations are conducted throughout the year, but intensified during festival seasons.

Sources:

  • "Drunk driver kills Guwahati model Rajkanya Baruah's mother in hit-and-run incident" by Ananya Das, October 2021, The Times of India (Source 1)
  • Anonymous police source, July 2022 (Source 2)