Sri Vijaya Puram, May 9: The Andaman & Nicobar Traffic Police has booked 346 vehicles for drunk driving between January and April 2026 during special enforcement drives carried out across Sri Vijaya Puram, highlighting growing concerns over reckless driving and road safety in the islands.
According to Traffic Police data, the violations included 278 two-wheelers, 52 cars, 7 goods vehicles and 9 autorickshaws. Authorities stated that all vehicles involved in the violations were seized, while the driving licences of offenders will be suspended for a period of three months.
Officials said drunk driving offences can attract penalties of up to ₹10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both under existing provisions of law.
The figures have raised concern as the number of violations recorded within just four months points towards a significant rise in risky driving behaviour on island roads, particularly involving two-wheelers.
Traffic Police officials stated that the enforcement drives were intensified to reduce accidents linked to drunken driving and improve public safety on roads across the city.
The issue has once again drawn attention to road discipline and traffic behaviour in Sri Vijaya Puram, where increasing vehicle numbers and rising traffic movement have added pressure on roads already limited by space and infrastructure.
The large number of two-wheelers among the violations has also highlighted the growing dependence on motorcycles for daily transport in the islands, especially among youth and working residents.
Concerns over drunken driving have become more visible in recent years, particularly during late evening hours and weekends, with residents frequently raising issues related to speeding, rash riding and unsafe driving practices.
Road safety remains a major concern in the islands due to limited emergency trauma facilities compared to mainland cities. In several serious accident cases, critically injured patients often require referral outside the islands for advanced treatment.
The latest figures have also renewed discussions around the need for stronger enforcement, stricter penalties for repeat offenders and sustained public awareness regarding responsible driving.
At the same time, questions are increasingly being raised over whether road safety efforts should move beyond periodic awareness workshops and temporary campaigns toward more continuous preventive measures and enforcement action.
The Traffic Police has appealed to citizens not to drive under the influence of alcohol and urged residents to follow traffic regulations responsibly.
“Don’t Drink and Drive. Your family is waiting for you,” the department stated during the campaign.
Officials said enforcement drives against drunk driving will continue across Sri Vijaya Puram as part of efforts to reduce road accidents and improve public safety.
