19 November 2010
By Rajiv Kalkod
Bangalore, India
Youngsters Aged 25–30 Drink And Drive For Fun
Most of these young’uns are private company employees, including software engineers. At least four youngsters have died in the past two years, with three deaths in just one year. The latest is B Aditya, who drowned after the car he was sitting atop fell into Bellandur lake, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Reacting to this case, additional commissioner of police (traffic) Praveen Sood said more than 80% of ‘self–accident’ cases are due to drunken driving. "Drunk revellers are not be able to think about what they are doing. In addition, ring roads and highways provide ample opportunity for a fast drive, which they can never can do in the city at other times," he said. "Common sense should tell them that one should not hit the road in an inebriated condition, and drive at a risky speed."
What The Doctor Says
According to psychiatrists, it is the group spirit that makes these revellers step on the gas. "At times, they take up challenges among themselves. But they are not in a position to think about the risks they are taking," said Dr Sudha Bhogle.
According to her, as the alcohol level rises, the ability to think and decide perceptibly decreases. "It affects the brain and the person does not think of the risk. Seeing a friend’s ‘daring’ acts, the others try to do the same," she said.
Recalling the incident of Karthik Somaiah, who allegedly knocked down four elderly men while driving under the influence of alcohol last year, a senior police official said: "We saw a few girls dancing atop a moving SUV on MG Road around 1am, a few days ago. We did not stop them fearing they may fall or the driver may meet with an accident in a bid to escape," he said.
In 2009, 38,665 drunken driving cases were recorded, and in 2010, till October 31, the number hit 58,540. These numbers are likely to go up, with data for two additional months yet to be accounted for. Drunken driving is largely found within the central business district.
Traffic officials said that this year, 81 people had died in self–accidents – defining them as accidents where the rider drinks and loses control of the vehicle, and either injures himself or dies.
Cases Booked
2010 (Till Oct)
58,540
2009
38,665
Self–Accidents 2010 – 81 Due To Drunken Driving Recent Horror Tales
JAN 24, 2009: Karthik Somaiah, a private firm employee, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he drove his luxury car on a footpath on Indiranagar 100–ft road near Doopanahalli early morning, killing four elderly walkers.
One person was injured. MAY 23, 2010: Mechanical engineer A Jitendra, 25, a resident of Mathikere and a native of Bihar, died on the spot when he rammed his bike into a road median in Devanahalli traffic limits early morning. He was returning from Nandi Hills.
OCT 8, 2010: A jolly ride to Nandi Hills to see the sunrise proved fatal for two students, after their motorbike rammed a circle in Devanahalli airport traffic limits at 4.30am. Praveen Murali, 26, and Nikhita Bhattacharya, 25, both LLB students, died on the spot.
NOV 17, 2010: B Aditya died when the car being driven by a friend, fell into Bellandur lake. He was sitting on the roof, and there were three persons inside the car. All four were in a state of inebriation.
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