The laws in the country for drinking and driving are becoming more and more stringent by the day. As per the current laws, different penalties are assessed depending on the blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the offence. The legal limit is 0.03% alcohol in 100 ml blood. The Union Cabinet has made provision for higher penalties, fines ranging from ₹2,000 up to ₹10,000, even imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Mumbai has seen umpteen number of drunk driving cases that have proven to be fatal, like they say danger creeps when safety sleeps. Driving in high spirits puts many lives at stake, especially yours, it is certainly not worth the mess it can lead to. Our roads need to become safer and more organised for the true metamorphosis of the country. As citizens we must concede that good times comes with a tad bit of responsibility on your part.
Today with Apps that offer innumerable alternatives to you, so that you reach home safe and sound after your drunk shenanigans.
I. Drink Companion
When to use:
To find out when you need to stop drinking!
What does the App do:
This application helps you to measure and monitor your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) value.
BAC gives an indication of the relative amount of alcohol or ethanol present in your body.
Police measure an individual’s BAC by use of a breathalyzer and take action if the measured value is greater than a certain fixed legal limit.
Drink Companion uses an accurate mathematical model for calculating BAC that has been tested in practice against a breathalyzer.
All you need to do is download the App and enter the amount of alcohol you consumed, the time since consumption and your weight. It calculates whether you have crossed the permissible Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit and a graph of your body’s BAC level is presented to you in as a graph.
II. Party Hard Drivers
When to use:
When you want your car to be driven back home in the middle of the day or night, they collect your cars even from outstation corporate trips.
What does the App do:
Initially supplying drivers only for the night, but due to high demand in Mumbai they have expanded services to the day with corporate and outstation trips.Their uniformed drivers are reliable, professional, trained and capable of driving all cars, they report to your location on a prior notice, typically an hour. Their service is reasonably priced so you no longer need to worry about how to get home after a couple of drinks.
III. DriveU
When to use:
When you are low on cash, but safety is still a priority. A reasonable service to your rescue.
What does the App do:
DriveU provides driver services in your city at just Rs.89/hour. You can hire drivers on hourly basis and use this service from the comfort of your personal vehicle. It uses your location on the map so that a driver can come pick you up, even when you are too tired to drive back from another city at night, they provide driver services on advanced bookings.
IV. Zuver
When to use:
When you are on a bender and NEED to your car to be picked.
What does the App do:
You can book in advance or request for a driver on an urgent basis, they pick up your car and you from the location on your GPS and drop you off at your desired location, no matter what the time. They offer e-payments so you can go cashless, with reasonable fares that spare you the exorbitant fare commercial cab services often charge. Been touted as safe for women especially. This service can be a saviour on a drunk night.
Special Mention
V. Uber Breathalyser
When to use:
On a really REALLY drunk night at a pub or a bar, this is a kiosk at popular bars and pubs in Mumbai, still in the process of expanding to more places. It analyses alcohol content in a person’s blood and accordingly flashes a red light, if it’s over the legal limit, and a green light, if it’s safe for the person to drive.
What it does:
App-based cab aggregator Uber has partnered with the Mumbai traffic police to curb drunk-driving by installing ‘Uber Breathalysers’ at bars and pubs in the city.
Uber Breathalyser is a kiosk that analyses alcohol content in a person’s blood and accordingly flashes a red light, if it’s over the legal limit, and a green light, if it’s safe for the person to drive.
If the reading is over the legal limit, a message is displayed on the screen that helps the person request an Uber home, instead of driving.
There is no excuse really anymore to get behind the wheel drunk. Whether you’ve gone out for a drink spontaneously or you’re planning your night in advance- hired chauffeurs or step by step assistance is all just a click away.
Researched by Chandan Vargappa