Some 6,500 culprits have been netted by police targeting drunken drivers over the festive season from December 15 to January 3. DIG (Traffic) Ajith Rohana said 8,000 police were used in the special operation, with increased numbers deployed in Colombo, Matara, Galle and Kandy and also on main roads such as the A9, A1, and [...]

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Drink-driving op nets thousands

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Some 6,500 culprits have been netted by police targeting drunken drivers over the festive season from December 15 to January 3.

DIG (Traffic) Ajith Rohana said 8,000 police were used in the special operation, with increased numbers deployed in Colombo, Matara, Galle and Kandy and also on main roads such as the A9, A1, and A2.

“There has been no decrease in the number of drunk drivers and we have decided to continue the special operation,” he said. He added that most drunk drivers are detected during the peak hours of 6pm-2am.

DIG Rohana said offenders face a minimum fine of Rs. 7,500 and suspension of their licence.

“A motorcyclist’s licence will be suspended for six months whereas a passenger-carrying transport such as buses, taxis, and three-wheelers will undergo a licence suspension period of one year,” he said.

He emphasised that anyone caught drink-driving a second time faces will face permanent cancellation of his or her licence.

One tragedy caused by drink-driving occurred at dawn on December 31, when an 18-year-old youth riding a motorcycle succumbed to injuries when he hit an oncoming car on the Negombo-Pamunugama road.

Dungalpitiya police said that the motorcyclist had been thrown off his bike by the impact, and over a bridge and into water.

The car driver had been under the influence of alcohol at the time and has been imprisoned.

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