Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 16: A team of youngsters from the city has prepared itself to help people who get drunk and find it difficult to drive their cars, thereby exposing themselves to the risk of getting heavily fined. This team is ready to pick such people and drop them off at their houses for a fee.

Drunk driving attracts fine of Rs 10,000. The police personnel of the city of late have been keeping a tight vigil on drunk driving. People who are habituated to driving home after consuming alcohol either because of habit or compulsion of their jobs, are now facing a dilemma. The team wants to serve such people and also earn something. It has started to offer services from September 14 onwards.

People in need of assistance after consuming liquor can call the mobile phone number of the members of this team. Two members of the team will arrive at the spot with their vehicle and offer to drop the callers to their destinations. If the concerned want to be dropped off in their own vehicles, the team is ready for that service too. If the drunk person has to be dropped off at his home, another member of the team will follow in either a motor bike or car to pick the member of the team at the point of drop.

One of the members of the team, Ramanath Prabu Marakada, a cab driver by profession, said that he was offering such services even in the past to doctors and others during late night hours. He said that the drop facility has now been extended for others who may face trouble because of the revised provisions of Motor Vehicles Act.

The team will be offering services between 7 pm to 1 am. It proposes to charge Rs 500 per trip within the city. Members of the team are Ramanath Prabhu Marakada, Rayan Pinto Bajpe, Deekshit Bajpe, Srinath Konchady, Sharan Marakada and Santosh Marakada.