Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to address a looming financial crisis, the government has taken an unusual approach by relying on the police force to generate revenue through a heightened crackdown on petty cases, with a specific emphasis on targeting drunk drivers.
Higher authorities have reportedly issued directives to police stations across the state, urging them to aim for a minimum of 50 petty cases to be captured daily. Motorbike passengers are under increased scrutiny, and intoxicated drivers have been singled out as the primary focus. To this end, police have been conducting raids near bars in major cities, striving to make the roads safer from the risks posed by drunk drivers.
The enforcement drive has taken various forms. Notably, vehicles are undergoing extensive checks in major cities, with breath analyzers being used to detect alcohol levels. Police personnel have been regularly patrolling roundabouts and junctions, further contributing to the intensity of the crackdown. The use of AI cameras to enforce fines for violations such as not wearing helmets has been introduced, creating a novel means of imposing penalties.
Following the implementation of fines via AI cameras and penalties for individuals not wearing helmets, enforced through capturing images using mobile phones, police officers have been instructed to establish a target number of cases and maintain enforcement efforts. Claims have arisen that even families on the road are not exempt from inspections aimed at identifying intoxicated drivers.
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