Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jun 28: Tourists found driving after consuming alcohol should be arrested immediately, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said on Saturday, calling for strict action to prevent accidents involving rental vehicles in Goa.

Speaking to reporters along with Sudip Tamhankar, general secretary of the All Goa Private Bus Owners Association, and rent-a-cab operators, Lobo expressed concern over the rising number of accidents involving tourists driving rented vehicles.

“The Motor Vehicles Act is very clear. There are penalties for driving after consuming alcohol and any tourist found driving after getting drunk should be immediately arrested so that the message goes out that drunk driving is not tolerated in Goa,” Lobo said.

Referring to a recent directive issued by Transport Director Arvind Khutkar regarding compliance with provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, Tamhankar said the association has repeatedly urged authorities to take action against drivers caught driving under the influence rather than unnecessarily seizing buses.

He said if a driver is found drunk while driving, the individual should be arrested immediately, and the same rule should apply to rental vehicles.

Following a representation from the bus owners’ association, Khutkar had written to police stating that drivers of passenger vehicles found driving under the influence of alcohol while on duty should face action under Sections 185, 202 and 203 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

He also stated that passenger vehicles should not be detained unnecessarily in such cases.

In his communication, Khutkar highlighted that under the Motor Vehicles Act, a police officer in uniform can arrest without a warrant any person found driving dangerously or recklessly, driving under the influence of alcohol, or operating a vehicle after consuming drugs.