Mumbai cops to penalise hotels if customer found driving drunk

Once the person is caught, the officers will send a report to the commissioner’s office, which will review the case and decide on the action to be taken against the establishment, the police said.

Bars and pubs could face strict action if a motorist is caught driving under the influence of alcohol on New Year’s Eve, the Mumbai traffic police have warned. The authorities started their campaign against drink driving on Tuesday night and have already caught 317 motorists.

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Once the person is caught, the officers will send a report to the commissioner’s office, which will review the case and decide on the action to be taken against the establishment, the police said.

Among the list of directives issued by the Mumbai traffic police headquarters, bars and other similar establishments have to report any person found driving drunk or not willing to comply with the rules.

“We have asked them to not serve liquor to those without a drinking permit and especially not to minors. If a bar or pub is found to be flouting these guidelines, we will report them to the licensing department and action will be initiated against them,” said V Bhujbal, senior inspector at the Chembur traffic outpost.

The police have also asked the bars and hotels to put up ‘Don’t drink and drive’ signs prominently. If anyone is illegally parking in front of the establishment, the management should inform the police.

The police have continued their drive against drunken drivers. During the special drive to catch drunken motorists, which started on Tuesday, the police on Friday night caught 102 drunk drivers. While 60 motorists were caught on the first night, 87 drunken motorists were caught during the second drive, which was conducted on Christmas eve.