Bengaluru, Sep 14 (DHNS): The accident rates and deaths in the state have come down after the ban on sale of liquor on highways. But in Bengaluru City the number of accidents and deaths remains the same.

The data obtained from State Crime Records Bureau shows that number of accidents and deaths on both national and state highways have come down in the last two months, when liquor ban on state and national highways was in force.

Accidents in the state in April, May and June, three months before the ban, were 789, 852 and 757 respectively. After the ban, the number of accidents in the months of July and August stood at 639 and 636, respectively. Similarly, the number of fatal accidents has also come down during July (675) August (664). Road accident deaths in April was 894, May (987) and June (822).

Additional Commissioner of Police (traffic) R Hithendra maintained that it was still premature to attribute the decline in accidents to ban on sale of liquor on highways. He said there was still a need for more awareness and enforcement on drunk and driving.

On April 1, the Supreme Court passed an order banning liquor establishments within 500 metres of all state and national highways. The ban resulted in closure of nearly 3600 bars and liquor shops.

Two months later, liquor shops within the municipal limits, were allowed to operate.

The supreme court advocate K V Dhanajay said that, this is the purpose that supreme court has passed the order. And to make it more effective, there needs to be drunk-and-drive checks on the highway so that number of accidents will be brought down further. The police and Excise officials should conduct regular checks at toll booths and dhabas to implement the rule effectively.