Thiruvananthapuram: Police have registered 6,199 cases of drunken driving during a special statewide enforcement drive conducted from 7am on Oct 13 to 7am on Oct 17.Police and excise squads will conduct round-the-clock checks on roads until Jan next year, especially during the Christmas and New Year season. District police chiefs have directed stations to double drunken-driving checks in the coming days and not to entertain political recommendations.The drive was carried out under the supervision of zonal IGs, range DIGs and district police chiefs on the instructions of ADGP (law and order) P Vijayan.Ernakulam rural recorded the highest number of cases at 710, followed by Thiruvananthapuram rural with 497 and Kottayam with 456. Kasaragod reported the lowest number with 75 cases.ADGP Vijayan said drunken driving was a major cause of road accidents and fatalities. Vehicle inspections will continue in the coming days, he added.Police have intensified enforcement against drunken driving as part of Operation Toofan, a statewide anti-drug initiative. It was launched in June to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse, with coordinated action involving multiple departments.Police have warned that vehicles will automatically be confiscated and auctioned, or driving licences will be cancelled for life for every drunken-driving offence. Motorists, especially commercial vehicle drivers, are advised not to drive under the influence of alcohol and to follow traffic regulations.
