Chandigarh traffic police is again starting its late-night drink and drive checking. The practice has been on hold since March 10 as breathalyser use to check the alcohol intake of the driver could have become a catalyst in spreading the Coronavirus.

Officiating senior superintendent of police (SSP-traffic) Manoj Kumar Meena has confirmed the news.

However, even though nakas will be set up in a few days, breathalysers to test drivers’ blood-alcohol levels will not be used.

“Ever since traffic has normalised and bars have opened in the city, we had been studying how traffic police in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi are working to restart nakas and challans for drunken driving. A meeting was held with all traffic deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) and other stakeholders on Thursday in which the decision to start late night nakas has been taken,” Meena said.

While the use of breathalysers is still out of the question, police plan to set up double zigzag nakas with barriers instead of the easily negotiable ‘S’ shaped checkpoint to easily detect those driving under the influence.

“They will have trouble negotiating the turns, and we will be closely monitoring driver behaviour. Anyone who behaves suspiciously will be stopped and if the cops suspect the driver of being drunk he or she can be taken for a medical test to measure their blood alcohol percentage,” said Meena.

The new checking system with double barriers will also prevent instances of drivers ramming their cars into nakas and escaping or injuring policemen in the process,” he added.

Harman Sidhu, member, UT Road Safety Council, advised: “Anyone who the traffic police suspects of being drunk should be made to walk in a straight line as is done in some Western countries. This is also an effective way of determining whether someone is drunk.”

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