A cop uses a breathalyser on a biker on December 31, 2019. File pic

Officials said a lot of international flights have been stopped due to the Omicron variant which means scores of Mumbaikars will be forced to party in the city. “We are gearing up for this year’s drive as there is no chance to go abroad or favourite destinations for celebrating the New Year. Many will stay in the city which will definitely add to our work,” said a senior traffic official. 

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The department, however, will still seek permission to use the breathalyser. “We are planning to write to relevant authorities regarding guidelines for its [breathalyser] use in the backdrop of the Covid pandemic. If we get the approval we will definitely use it this year. In case the permission is not given like last year, suspected inebriated motorists will be taken to hospital and blood tests will be done to confirm the offence,” said Rajvardhan, joint commissioner (traffic).

Drunk-driving cases on New Year’s Eve
2018    445
2019    778
2020    35