Drunk driving makes automobiles death traps: Court

A Delhi court has sent a 22-year- old youth to three days in jail in a drunk driving case, with an observation that consumption of alcohol makes automobiles "death traps" and drunken drivers "lethal weapon".
District and Sessions Judge Rekha Rani passed the order on an appeal filed by one Gaurav Singh against a magisterial court's order by which he was convicted and awarded jail term along with a fine of Rs 4,500, for the offence committed under provisions of Motor Vehicle Act.
"Consumption of alcohol impairs vision, focus, reflexes, consciousness, coordination, which make automobiles 'death traps' and the drunken drivers 'lethal weapon'...

"Freedom and responsibility go hand-in-hand as declared by our Constitution. Those who flout responsibility forfeit their right to freedom," the judge said, adding, "Any leniency shown to drunken drivers would be at the risk of further proliferation of the road accidents."
Singh, who had pleaded guilty before the trial court, claimed in the sessions court that he had never consumed alcohol and that he was falsely implicated by the traffic police.
The sessions court, however, said that "the appellant (Singh) was convicted on his plea of guilty and perusal of the trial court record shows that appellant was duly explained the nature of offences he allegedly committed and also the fact that he can be sentenced to jail term on his plea of guilty".

"Human life is precious and road users have fundamental right to life and liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of our Constitution," the court said.

In its order, the sessions court also noted that Singh was not only badly drunk, exceeding the prescribed limit under the law by over 13 times but he was also driving vehicle without any licence.
"Drunken driving has become a menace, which may cause injuries, disabilities, fatalities having devastating effect on the victims and their kin. It also causes colossal loss in terms of economy of State," it said.
According to the prosecution, Singh was driving a two- wheeler on May 15, 2015 under the influence of liquor.

He was also unable to show registration certificate, valid driving licence and valid insurance on checking, it said.