Bihar's liquor ban results in over 60% reduction in road deaths due to drunk driving

NEW DELHI: Complete prohibition of liquor in Bihar has resulted in over 60 per cent reduction in road deaths and crashes caused due to drunk driving.
Unpublished data accessed by TOI show that while 867 persons died in 2015 due to drunk driving in the state, fatalities reduced to 326 during 2016.

The declining trend in road accidents come at a time when the country is debating whether limiting access to liquor for drivers on highways actually brings down road crashes, fatalities and injuries in the light of Supreme Court banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of either side of National Highways.

Sources in Bihar police said liquor prohibition has actually helped in reducing road deaths in the state and Bihar has recorded maximum improvement among states during 2016 so far as road crashes and deaths are concerned.



Bihar registered 541 fewer deaths in road crashes in 2016 in comparison to the previous year. Data show that this reduction happened primarily due to sharp fall in fa talities due to drunk driving.

According to World Health Organisation reports, drinking and driving is one of the main causes of road crashes worldwide. In high-income countries about 20% of fatally injured drivers have excess alcohol in their blood, while in some low and middleincome countries these figu res may be up to 69 per cent.

However, due to poor enforcement and detection primarily because of lack of trained personnel and gadgets India officially registers very few drunk driving cases. According to published data of 2015, intake of alcohol drugs accounted for only 16,298 crashes and claimed 6,755 lives despite alcohol consumption and drunk driving being very common on Indian roads.This is the reason why data recorded by police are often questioned by experts.

“Fall in road deaths in Bihar needs to be applauded. However, since crashes are not scientifically investigated, the data on causative factor is unreliable. We have to have proper investigation of crashes to find reasons for taking corrective measures,“ road safety expert Rohit Baluja said.

Recognising, drunk driving as a major risk for road safety , the amendments to the Motor Vehicle law have proposed fine up to Rs 10,000 for drunk drivers for first offence and up to Rs 15,000 for repeat offence.