Bengaluru Traffic Police Launch Major Crackdown on Drunk Drivers Transporting Students
In a decisive move to enhance road safety for schoolchildren, the Bengaluru traffic police executed a targeted enforcement operation on Friday morning. This initiative aimed squarely at curbing the alarming instances of drivers operating school vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.
Widespread Checks Lead to Multiple Bookings
During the intensive three-hour drive, spanning from 7 AM to 10 AM, law enforcement officials meticulously inspected approximately 5,100 school buses and vans across the city. Each driver was subjected to a mandatory alcometer test to detect alcohol consumption.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-West), Anoop A Shetty, provided critical details, stating, "Our jurisdictional teams identified several drivers whose alcometer readings exceeded the permissible limit of 40mg/100ml. Consequently, we have registered drunk driving cases against 26 individuals under the stringent provisions of Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act."
Severe Penalties and Institutional Accountability
The immediate consequences for the offenders were severe and swift. Police authorities seized the driving licenses of all implicated drivers along with the vehicles involved. Shetty further elaborated on the legal ramifications, noting, "These drivers will face substantial fines in court. Additionally, we are forwarding their driving license details to the respective Regional Transport Offices with a formal recommendation for cancellation, ensuring long-term accountability."
Highlighting the shared responsibility, Shetty urged educational institutions to bolster their internal monitoring systems. "Whether institutions own their buses or outsource transportation to private agencies, they must implement daily checks to prevent drunk driving violations among their drivers," he emphasized. The police have announced plans to conduct similar surprise drives in the near future to maintain pressure and deterrence.
Parallel Drive Against One-Way Traffic Violations
In a related enforcement effort, Bengaluru traffic police also intensified actions against motorists flouting one-way traffic rules over recent days. Between Wednesday and Friday, authorities booked a staggering 5,458 cases for such violations.
A senior police officer disclosed that two-wheeler riders constituted the majority of these offences. The standard fine for driving against a one-way is set at Rs 500. However, the officer issued a stern warning: "Repeat offenders will face escalated penalties, including vehicle seizure and significantly higher fines." This targeted drive against one-way violations is slated to continue for several more days to reinforce compliance.
These concerted efforts underscore the Bengaluru traffic police's commitment to creating safer roads through rigorous enforcement and public awareness, particularly in safeguarding vulnerable commuters like school students.
