Drunken driving: Hyderabad Traffic Police collect Rs 5.66 Cr fine, suspend 144 driving licenses

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Traffic Police have intensified a campaign against drunk driving and collected Rs 5.66 crore in fines and suspended 144 driving licenses between January and June this year.

The crackdown aims to reduce the rising number of road accidents caused by intoxicated motorists.

Daytime drunk driving checks launched

Traditionally, drunk driving checks were mostly conducted during late-night hours. However, in recent months, traffic officials observed a shift in driver behavior, with some individuals consuming alcohol during the day to avoid night checks.

Responding to this trend, traffic police have launched daytime enforcement drives to catch offenders off guard and ensure round-the-clock vigilance.

In one alarming case, a driver of an interstate bus operating between Hyderabad and Bengaluru was caught heavily intoxicated during duty. When confronted, the driver casually dismissed his behavior as “normal,” shocking the police officers conducting the check.

Startling enforcement figures

Between January and June 2025, traffic authorities booked a total of 27,820 drunk driving cases. Out of these, 1,229 offenders were sentenced to jail terms ranging from 6 to 20 days. Courts also handed down strict penalties, including the permanent cancellation of one driver’s license for repeated violations.

The enforcement drive has so far resulted in the suspension of 144 driving licenses under the Motor Vehicles Act. These include professional drivers such as those operating school vans, autos, and public transport vehicles — individuals entrusted with passenger safety.

Accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the rise

The data paints a grim picture. In the first half of the year alone, 147 severe road accidents were linked to drunk driving, resulting in 152 deaths and 148 people sustaining serious injuries. Additionally, 998 individuals suffered minor injuries.

Pedestrians have not been spared either. During the same period, 49 pedestrians were killed, and 314 were injured, underscoring the widespread impact of reckless driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police issue stern warning

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Joel Davis, stressed the department’s commitment to reducing road accidents. “We are not aiming to generate revenue through fines. Our mission is to save lives. Intoxicated and rash driving are the leading causes of traffic deaths in the city. Strict enforcement is the only way to make roads safer,” he said.

“We are increasing surveillance, expanding checking zones, and conducting surprise inspections both during the day and night. No one will be spared,” Joel Davis said. He also added that repeat offenders and commercial drivers will face harsher penalties, including license cancellation, imprisonment, and mandatory counseling sessions.

Public urged to drive responsibly

The Hyderabad Traffic Police have appealed to the public to refrain from driving under the influence, especially considering the dangerous trend of day drinking among some drivers. They warned that drunk driving not only endangers the life of the driver but also puts countless others at risk.