LUCKNOW, March 1 -- A fatal double-decker bus accident that killed five people, including three children, and injured around 40 others has prompted the Uttar Pradesh government to initiate action against liquor shops operating near highways and expressways, amid rising concerns over drunk driving on high-speed corridors.

The accident, which occurred on February 23, has brought renewed attention to enforcement gaps along major road networks. Officials said preliminary assessments of serious crashes indicate that alcohol consumption and driving under the influence often emerge as contributing factors, particularly on high-speed stretches where vehicles travel at greater speeds.

Senior transport department officials said the easy availabil...