Over 500 fined for drunk driving

PUNE: Gliding out of swish hotels in swanky cars after having one too many may lead you straight to a traffic cop holding a breath analyzer.
In the last five days, more than 500 people have been fined for drunk driving outside prominent luxury hotels in and around the city. Of them, some 25 people were told to make alternative transport arrangements as their inebriated state was considered unsafe for driving, a senior traffic police official said.
As part of a special campaign to check drunk driving at night, traffic cops were posted in upscale areas and hotels in and around Baner, Hinjewadi, Wakad, Senapati Bapat Road, Ahmednagar Road and Pimpri Chinchwad between 10pm and 1am. Surprise breath analyzer tests were conducted on those behind the wheels of premium luxury sedans and sports utility vehicles (SUV).

Drivers found ‘too drunk’ were either told to get off the driver’s seat and let the sober person accompanying them drive or were clearly told to make alternative arrangements for reaching home. In some cases, the cops made them call up their friends/relatives and tell them to pick them up. The traffic police also arranged autorickshaws for some. The complete drive was video-graphed and the recording has been kept as evidence.
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Sarang Awad said, “So far, we have gone after two-wheeler drivers and randomly stopped cars on roads. For the first time we thought we will check those driving expensive four-wheelers outside luxury hotels. We found drunk driving was quite rampant in this category.”
Awad said that people caught and fined cooperated with the policemen. “Our teams too were polite and cordial and helped those who could not drive,” he said.
Awad said the drive will continue.
The state cabinet in 2010 decided to bring about a three-fold increase in fine for all traffic violations. An amendment brought in 2013 states that drunk driving can also cost you your licence.
Meanwhile, the Road Transport and Safety Bill (see box), which is pending in Parliament, proposes to reduce the permissible level of blood alcohol concentration from 30mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 20mg.
As part of a special campaign to check drunk driving at night, traffic cops were posted in upscale areas and hotels. Surprise breath analyzer tests were conducted on those behind the wheels of premium luxury sedans and sports utility vehicles.