Safety is of utmost importance to Mumbai Traffic Police, and with the recent increase in ‘drunken driving’ cases in the cities, the traffic police have become more alert with frequent checks and random interrogation.
Now, Uber has come up with an intelligent solution to reducing drink and drive cases in Mumbai and surrounding areas by partnering with Mumbai Traffic Police. They will install breath analysers at bars and clubs in and around Mumbai to alert the customers about the level of alcohol in their blood.
This translates into lesser drunk people driving on the road and guilt-free transportation for the people in Mumbai. Uber Breathalysers will be installed in pubs and bars gradually this year and will indicate whether the person should drive or order Uber for a ride home.
How will the Breathalysers work?
Just like the breathalysers possessed by Mumbai Traffic Police, the Uber Breathalysers will be placed at a kiosk in the pub, which will show the customer’s ability to self-drive or order cab service.
Once breath is measured, a light will flash to indicate the above. A red light means completely no-no for the person to drive the car, while a green light means that the person has alcohol under the legal limit.
If the light flashes red, the person will be able to order a cab home from the kiosk itself, so as to reduce the whole process of ordering one while in an inebriated state.
Talking about this initiative, Shailesh Sawlani, GM at Uber Mumbai said, “Through this campaign, we aim to build awareness against drunk-driving and give people a convenient and reliable ride back home. We hope to work with the Mumbai traffic police to install these devices across all bars and pubs in the city.”
The first kiosk has been installed in Mumbai at Nook, a nightclub in Pheonix Marketcity, Kurla. Uber will be ramping up the installation of such kiosks in Mumbai this year.
Will this work?
This could definitely work if taken up in the right spirit by the citizens of our country. Anyone who is drunk and wishes to drive on his/her own, will ultimately do so. But responsible people will definitely make use of the service at bars and clubs in Mumbai.
While this is a great social initiative by Uber, one has to also keep in mind that Uber has done it because, it will definitely help in increasing the number of people taking Uber. They are now making it easier for citizens to call a Uber, especially those who are drunk. Ordinarily, if those Kiosks are not there, they might call their competitor, or not call a cab at all!
Do you think this will work in all the metros in India? Comment below with your views.
Image: Shutterstock.com
