State Steps Up Action as Drunk Driving Cases Trigger Licence Suspensions
Police across the state have tightened their crackdown on drunk driving, resulting in the suspension of 258 driving licences as part of a broader push to make roads safer for everyone.
Over the ten‑month period from January to October, officers issued 11,649 challans to motorists caught driving under the influence. In many of these cases, authorities recommended suspending the licences of 2,965 drivers, and 1,027 people were arrested for drunk driving — a sign of how seriously the issue is being taken.
District‑level data shows the scale of the problem. Mandi topped the list with 69 licence suspensions, followed by Shimla (39), Chamba (38), Baddi (43) and Kinnaur (24). Other districts also saw action, including Kullu (10), Solan (11), Hamirpur (6), Kangra (5), Dehra (7), Bilaspur (2), Sirmaur (2), and Una and Lahaul‑Spiti, which recorded one suspension each.
A deeper look at enforcement numbers reveals just how widespread the checks have been. For instance:
- Baddi issued 489 challans and recommended 107 licence suspensions
- Bilaspur recorded 892 challans with 130 suspension recommendations
- Chamba issued 636 challans and pushed for 292 suspensions
- Kangra saw 1,201 challans and 235 suspension recommendations
- Kinnaur issued 253 challans and recommended suspending 215 licences
- Lahaul‑Spiti issued 192 challans with 147 suspension recommendations
- Mandi, the highest, recorded 1,777 challans and 416 suspension recommendations
- Shimla followed with 1,389 challans and 464 suspension recommendations
- Sirmaur issued 1,406 challans and recommended 179 suspensions
- Solan recorded 1,143 challans and 302 suspension recommendations
- Una issued 360 challans and recommended 150 suspensions
Police say the tough measures are necessary. Their analysis shows that many road accidents in the state stem from speeding, rash driving, and drunk driving. To curb these risks, all District Superintendents of Police — along with the Traffic and Transport Regulation (TTR) unit — have been instructed to intensify enforcement drives under strict supervision.
The message is clear: the state is taking road safety seriously, and drunk driving will not be tolerated.
