The Kerala High Court has directed the Transport Commissioner to ensure prompt action against motorists involved in drunken driving cases, including consideration of disqualification or revocation of their driving licences under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Justice Kauser Edappagath observed that licensing authorities have been reluctant to exercise their statutory powers despite existing legal provisions and judicial directions. The Court said that infrequent use of these powers weakens the deterrent effect intended by the law.
The directions came while the Court was granting bail to a man accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and hitting a two-wheeler. The collision left the rider grievously injured, and he subsequently died.
Licensing Authorities Must Examine Alcohol-Related Accidents Without Delay
The High Court directed that whenever preliminary evidence suggests that a road accident resulted from the driver’s intoxication, the competent Licensing Authority must examine the circumstances promptly and consider proceedings for disqualification or revocation of the driving licence.
The Court emphasised that Section 19 must be enforced effectively, particularly when drunken driving continues to result in fatalities and cause suffering to victims’ families.
Justice Edappagath observed that the reluctance of authorities to invoke the provision defeats its legislative purpose. Effective enforcement, the Court said, would help ensure accountability while discouraging dangerous behaviour on public roads.
The Court also stressed that licensing authorities must exercise their statutory powers with the seriousness warranted by the consequences of intoxicated driving.
Investigating Officer Directed to Forward Accused’s Driving Licence
In the case before it, the High Court instructed the investigating officer to immediately forward the bail applicant’s driving licence and relevant records to the competent Licensing Authority.
The authority was directed to initiate proceedings under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act and deal with the matter in accordance with law, while observing the principles of natural justice.
The directions come amid increasing concerns over accidents in Kerala involving young motorists driving at excessive speeds, sometimes after consuming alcohol.
The High Court made clear that the statutory mechanism for disqualifying drivers or revoking licences must be considered in appropriate drunken driving cases rather than remain largely unused.
