Drunk driving cases on Dhulivandan (the second day of Holi) have tripled in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, officials said on Saturday. This year, the police in the two cities took action against 674 individuals — 402 in Pune and 272 in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Last year, 280 persons were booked for driving under the influence of alcohol, they added.
The police used breath analysers to ascertain if the individuals were drunk. If a person has a blood alcohol level exceeding 30 milligrams per 100 ml of blood as detected in a test by a breath analyser or is under the influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle, he/she is booked under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act. For the first offence, the provision attracts punishment of imprisonment for a term up to six months or with a fine or both. For the second or subsequent offence, if committed within three years of the commission of the previous similar offence, imprisonment may go up to two years or fine or both.
Earlier on Friday, the police launched a drive to check drunk driving cases amid the Holi celebrations.
DCP Traffic Amol Zende said, "Check posts had been set up at 91 places across the city. Police personnel and traffic police officers were present there. The main purpose of this was to keep a check on drunk driving cases so that there was no accident. 5,000 police personnel and 500 officers were placed for this work."
"Along with drink and drive, the police also booked violators for triple-seat riding and wrong-side riding. A total of 921 were booked for triple-seat riding, while 852 faced action for wrong-side riding. In all, the police collected Rs 50.94 lakh in fines from the violators," he added.
The drive was conducted in different parts of the city, mainly Nagar Road, Mundhwa, Koregaon Park, Vimannagar, Khadki, Chatushrungi, Baner, Deccan Gymkhana, Kothrud, Warje Malwadi, Shivajinagar, Satara Road, Kondhwa, Wanowrie, Hadapsar, among other areas.
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On the other hand, there were 25 checkpoints in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
