Bar, pubs owners will be held responsible if the customer is found drunk driving: Rachakonda Cops

Hyderabad: Bar,pub owners will be held responsible if the customer is found drunk driving said Rachakonda police. In an advisory issued ahead of the New Year eve, the cops said 'any bar / pub / club, knowingly or negligently allowing their customers / associates to drive under the influence of alcohol after consuming alcohol in their premises will be dealt strictly as per law and the concerned management will be prosecuted for abetting the crime".

The Rachakonda police have restricted new year events/ celebrations at resorts, parks, hotels, bars, pubs or public places in its jurisdiction.

While the outer ring road (ORR) will be kept closed for vehicles passenger vehicles from 11 PM on 31-december to 5 AM on 1st January 2021. However, medium and heavy Goods vehicles will be allowed. Meanwhile, bonafide passengers travelling to the International airport on light motor vehicles will be allowed on ORR subject to production of tickets.

The Rachakonda police have warned cabs drivers of heavy fines if they refused a ride. "Driver shall not refuse ride on hire to any public. It is a violation of Section 178 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and it invites a penalty of Rs. 500 in the form of e-challan. Public may send such complaints to us on WhatsApp 9490617111 with details of vehicle, time, place" cops said.

Cops to carry out extensive checks for drunk driving across all the roads in Rachakonda limits.

Minor driving or driving without a valid Driving License will lead to detention of the vehicle and the owner and driver both will be prosecuted in the court of law.

Consequences of drunk driving:

 The DD cases u/s 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 will be booked against each one of the drunk drivers and all of them would be sent to Court in due time.

 A penalty of Rs. 10000 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months for the first offence and a penalty of Rs. 15000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years for a second or subsequent offence.

 Also, all their driving licenses will be seized and sent to concerned Road Transport Authority's for suspension as per section 19 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

 For the first offence, the driving license will be suspended for 3 months and for second and subsequent offences, the driving license will be revoked permanently making the person ineligible to drive in India.

 Further, if any person commits road accident and causes death of any body by driving under the influence of alcohol criminal case will be booked U/s 304 part-II of IPC Culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and arrested and sent to jail. On conviction, such persons will be punished with imprisonment of up to 10 years.