Mumbai Traffic Police Launch Major Crackdown on Drunk Driving During Holi Celebrations
In a significant enforcement operation aimed at ensuring public safety during the Holi festival, the Mumbai traffic police registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against 159 individuals caught driving under the influence of alcohol. This special drive, conducted on Tuesday, spanned from 12 am to 7 pm and utilized breathalysers to identify offenders, who now face legal proceedings in court.
Widespread Traffic Violations and Substantial Fines
Beyond the drunk driving cases, police issued a staggering 16,700 challans to motorists for various traffic infractions, resulting in total fines amounting to Rs 1.99 crore. The violations included jumping signals, riding without helmets, speeding, and driving on the wrong side, with 20 offenders sent directly to court for the latter offense.
Breakdown of Challans Issued:
- Speeding: 4,486 challans
- Riding without helmets: 4,317 challans
- Obstructing traffic: 2,532 challans
- Jumping signals: 610 challans
- Riding triple seat: 530 challans
- Driving without a licence: 431 challans
- Violating no entry: 278 challans
- Honking violations: 2 challans
Legal Consequences and Police Appeals
The driving licences of those caught drunk driving have been forwarded to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for suspension, underscoring the serious legal repercussions. Police authorities made a public appeal, urging citizens to celebrate responsibly and adhere to traffic rules to prevent accidents and ensure smoother traffic flow during the festive period.
Thane Police Conduct Parallel Enforcement Drive
Meanwhile, in a coordinated effort, the Thane police commissionerate carried out its own special enforcement drive for Holi and Dhulivandan, booking 1,681 traffic violators across five city divisions. This crackdown, led by Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre and involving approximately 450 traffic officers at multiple checkpoints, resulted in 196 revellers being caught for drunk driving.
Additional Violations in Thane:
- 836 two-wheeler riders penalized for not wearing helmets
- 408 individuals booked for triple-seat riding
- 227 motorists fined for allowing passengers in autorickshaw front seats against norms
- 14 drivers caught driving on the wrong side
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat, this focused enforcement was specifically designed to curb drunken driving, rash riding, and other common violations during Holi celebrations, thereby enhancing road safety and traffic management in Thane city.
