Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) As many as 353 people were booked for driving dangerously and under the influence of alcohol in the national capital on New Year’s Eve, police said Thursday. The traffic police issued a total of 492 ‘challans’ (traffic tickets) Wednesday night as a part of its drive to check violation of traffic rules during the night of revelry.

A total of 274 people were prosecuted for drunken driving in the capital while action was taken against 79 for dangerous driving.

“Most of the challans were issued in New Delhi district comprising Connaught Place area,” a senior police officer told IANS.

Delhi Police has tied up with hospitals in the city to conduct blood tests of those caught for drunken driving during the festive season. Mobile vans were deployed on several roads of the capital to conduct the tests.

Two magistrates were stationed at Parliament Street police station to fine the offenders.

Staff equipped with breath analysers and alcometers were deployed near pubs, malls and hotels as part of a drive to check dangerous and drunken driving during the festive season.

Police Control Room (PCR) vans were also pressed into service to ensure hassle free flow of traffic.

The fine for drunken driving is Rs.2,000 or imprisonment up to three years for first-time offenders. For subsequent offences, the fine is Rs.3,000 or two years of imprisonment or both. In the past 15 days, over 600 people in Delhi have been fined for drunken driving.