866 drunk drivers booked

The Mumbai traffic police arrested 720 people for drink driving in the city during New Year celebrations, while 146 offenders were booked in Thane.

The Mumbai traffic police arrested 720 people for drink driving in the city during New Year celebrations, while 146 offenders were booked in Thane. The offenders were booked during an anti-drink driving campaign conducted by the traffic police department.

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“Despite repeated warnings against drink driving, we have arrested more offenders this year compared to last year,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) SS Solunkhe. Last year, 544 people were prosecuted in Mumbai, while Thane registered 131 offenders.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for drink drivers,” said Sanjay Barve, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

Most of the accused were between the ages of 21 and 35 and 530 offenders were riding two-wheelers. As per Section 185 of

Motor Vehicles Act, offenders will be fined Rs 2,000 or spend six months in jail or both.

Sudhir Dabhade, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Thane, said: “We collected Rs 2.3 lakh from drunk drivers.” In Thane, 1,100 cases of traffic violation were registered the same night and more than Rs 1,00,000 was collected as fine.