Drivers may soon have to think twice before consuming even a small amount of alcohol. The health ministry has proposed reducing the amount of drink you can take while driving from the current limit. This, the ministry says will help reduce accidents and improve road safety.
Currently, during inspections, drivers found under the influence of alcohol are not fined if their blood alcohol content is below the permissible limit of 0.08 grams. However, they should hold a driving licence for more than three years.
The fine amounts to Nu 1750.
Repeated offences are taken more seriously, and upon a fifth offence, the driver’s licence is cancelled.
However, for those with less than three years and for professional drivers, the law is stricter, no alcohol is permitted at all.
Now, the health ministry has proposed lowering the limit 0.08 to 0.05 grams.
The health minister said lowering the limit will help reduce alcohol consumption.
BBS spoke to some residents in Thimphu who welcomed the initiative, saying it would help improve road safety.
Sangay Wangchuk, a resident said, “If the permissible limit is reduced, it will be safer on the roads for both drivers and pedestrians.”
Tshering Dorji, another resident said, “Once you drink, you tend to drive at high speed. It will benefit all road users if the proposal goes through. But it would be even better if it were not just reduced but set to zero tolerance.”
Nakphela, also a resident said, “Once you are behind the wheel after drinking, it is not only you who is at risk, it is also risky for pedestrians.”
The police said, on an average, around 10 offenders are caught drunk driving in Thimphu during a single inspection.
As the proposal awaits a decision, traffic police continues to conduct random checks, monitors highways and remind drivers to follow traffic rules.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Tshering Zam
