Hyderabad Traffic Police Increases DUI Checks

Following the rampant increase in drunk driving accidents in Hyderabad, the Cyberabad Traffic Police (CTP) has increased checking to stop the people of the city from driving under the influence of alcohol in an effort to prevent such accidents.

Reports say that as many as 2,351 persons have been booked for "driving under the influence of alcohol" cases under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in this month so far.

In a statement, the CTP revealed that first-time offenders were either charged a fine of Rs 10,000 or imprisoned for up to six months while second-time offenders were made to pay a fine of Rs 15,000 or imprisoned for two years.

Besides this, the driving licences of first-time offenders have also been seized and sent to the concerned RTOs for a suspension of three months. For repeat offenders, the licences have been permanently revoked.

Further, the employers of the offenders were also intimated about the involvement of their employees in such irresponsible behaviour.

CTP officials said that the police planned on increasing the checking as drunk driving continues to pose a serious threat to the commuters in the city.

They also said that checking and punishments would both be made more stringent.

"Any person causing traffic accidents by driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of any person will be booked for 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' under Section 304 (part II) of the IPC, resulting in imprisonment of either description (simple or rigorous) of up to 10 years," the officials said.

The police then appealed to the public to cooperate with its efforts to prevent drunk driving accidents, and urged them not to resort to driving any vehicles in an inebriated condition, asking them to make alternative arrangements for their travel after alcohol consumption instead.