Pune Traffic Police Take Action Against 65 Drunk Drivers On New Year’s Eve, Seize 7 Vehicles |
The Pune traffic police took action against 65 motorists for driving under the influence in various parts of the city on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday. A total of 7 vehicles were seized by the police.
On the day, the police checked 891 vehicles. Four drivers were fined for triple-seat violations, while 19 others faced action for having fancy number plates.
In preparation for New Year’s Eve, 700 traffic police personnel were deployed at several locations identified as high-risk zones. They were tasked with taking action against traffic violations such as rash driving, triple seating, and driving on the wrong side.
Pune, a vibrant destination for New Year celebrations, offers a blend of peaceful lakeside camping and lively pub parties. As the countdown to the New Year began, the city administration had made necessary arrangements for the festivities. Along with city police, rural police also played a crucial role, as popular celebration spots like Mulshi, Lonavala, Paud, Bhugaon, and Velhe fall under the jurisdiction of Pune Rural Police.
The issue of drink-and-drive offenses and underage driving became a significant focus in the city following the infamous Porsche accident earlier this year. In the aftermath, authorities have been strict in dealing with drink drivers.
Action on drunk drivers
Throughout 2024, action was taken against 5,256 vehicle drivers/riders. In December alone, 549 individuals faced penalties. The highest number of violators was penalized in October.
Throughout the year, a significant number of penalties were imposed for traffic violations in Pune. The breakdown of penalties is as follows: In January, 137 drivers were penalized, followed by 79 in February and 128 in March. The numbers remained relatively low in April with 50 violations. However, the numbers surged in May with 358 penalties, continuing to rise in June with 724 penalties. July saw 658 violations, while August had 430. The numbers dropped in September to just 35, before spiking again in October with a staggering 1,433 violations. In November, 675 drivers were penalized, and by December 29, 549 penalties had been imposed.
To align with the New Year celebrations, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Pune Traffic Police launched a special campaign to crack down on drink-and-drive violations, which ran until December 31. Random checks using breath analyzer machines were carried out at various locations. The campaign also targeted underage drivers, with barricades and checkposts set up at key locations to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.
Additionally, the Pune auto-rickshaw drivers’ union launched a “You Drink, We Drive” service at the Prepaid Auto Booth at Pune Railway Station, in collaboration with the Baghtoy Rickshawala Sangathana, to promote commuter safety on New Year’s Eve. The New Year celebration went off without any trouble in the city as people flocked to restaurants and pubs in the city along with arterial roads. Pune’s restaurants, bars, and hotels also stayed open until 5 am to accommodate the New Year celebrations.
