Don’t even think about those joyrides in a drunken stupor; you may soon find yourself on a short leash.
Don’t even think about those joyrides in a drunken stupor; you may soon find yourself on a short leash.
For, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is currently undergoing a major process of amendment. Once approved, expect to face harsher penalties if you’re caught on the wrong side of the law.
At present, section 185 of the Act lists the penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
If a driver is found with the alcohol content in his blood exceeding 30mg/100ml of blood during a breathalyser test, or if he is under the influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle, the first offence attracts an imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to Rs2,000 or both. For a second such offence within the next three years, s/he may be slapped with a two-year jail term or a fine of up to Rs3,000. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, both the imprisonment and the fine can be slapped on the offender.
The amendments to the Act have an even more detailed and elaborate set of punishments for drunken driving.
If a motorist, while driving or attempting to drive, is under the influence of alcohol, then three separate punishments have been prescribed, depending on the quantity of alcohol found in his blood: 30mg to 80mg per 100ml of blood gets a jail term of up to six months or a fine of Rs2,000 or both; between 81mg and 150 mg, six-month imprisonment or a fine of Rs5,000 or both; and above 150 mg, imprisonment of six months which may extend to one year and a fine of Rs10,000 or both.
Besides, keeping in line with the proposed penalty points system, three points will be stacked up against the first offence. The second will result in cancellation of the driving licence.
The amendment adds that a driver influenced by a drug to such an extent as to render him/her incapable of exercising control over the vehicle, he will be punished for the first offence with an imprisonment of up to six months or with a fine of Rs5,000 or both.
Subsequent offences, if committed within the next three years, will attract a six-month jail term, which may extend to a year or a fine of up to Rs10,000 or both.
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