MLA urges government to suspend drunk driving tests in view of Corona virus outbreak

Hyderabad: Concerns about the Coronavirus seems to have reached the Assembly, too. During the ongoing budget session in the Telangana Assembly, an MLA raised some doubts about the drunk driving checks amid the outbreak of the virus.

During the question hour on 12 March, TRS MLA from Ibrahimpatnamin sought a stop on drunk driving tests in the state till the Corona scare abates. He said the police are using the same straw to test at least three persons while conducting the checks.

Keeping in view the alarming situation in the state and also the health of the citizens, he requested that the checks be kept on hold temporarily. He urged the government to take a decision on the issue keeping in mind the health of the people. Responding to the MLA, Home minister Mahamood Ali said they will think over his suggestions.

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, there have been numerous incidents of drivers raising similar concerns over drunk driving checks and many have refused to take the test. Some NGOs have even written to the police to temporarily stop the check. But the police department has time and again maintained that they are taking all safety measures during the tests and are using one straw per person during the checks.