“Mumbai’s Zero Tolerance: 20 Drunk Drivers Booked in 3 Days Under New Law”

​Between Friday and Sunday, Mumbai traffic police registered 20 First Information Reports (FIRs) for drunken driving, involving 22 individuals, including one woman. This action follows a directive from the traffic police chief emphasizing stricter enforcement against driving under the influence, a significant contributor to road accidents.

Previously, offenders were penalized under the Motor Vehicles Act. However, the Mumbai traffic police have recently adopted a more stringent approach by filing FIRs under Section 125 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses acts endangering life or personal safety. Conviction under this section can result in imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of up to ₹2,500, or both.

This policy shift aims to deter drunken driving by imposing more severe consequences, including potential impacts on offenders’ ability to secure passports and police clearances.

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