Team Mangalorean

Bangalore: Metropolitan Magistrate Traffic Court-II N G Dinesh has sentenced Kishore, 39, ten days in jail for driving a car under the influence of alcohol on May 20, 2012.

The Magistrate also fined the marble contractor from Ranganathapura Rs 3,000 under Section 185 of Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 in lieu of which he would undergo another 10 days in jail. It is learnt that this is the first DUI case in Bangalore where a Judge has taken such action.

According to police records, around midnight on May 20, Kishore was driving in his car towards Magadi Road after consuming liquor at a bar and restaurant on MG Road when traffic police stopped him. Police that day were checking vehicles for drunk driving at Subbanna Circle and stopped Kishore’s car. He did not had his driving licence. Police subjected him to an alcometer test. The breath analyser found out that his blood alcohol was around 83 mg per 100 ml. Kishore at that time, admitted that he was heavily drunk.

According to Section 185 of the IMV Act, 1988 whoever, while driving or attempting to drive, a motor vehicle, has, in his blood alcohol exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml of blood detected in a test by a breath analyser shall be punishable with imprisonment and fine as detailed in the said provision. Police seized Kishore’s car and sent him home. He came to the police station next morning and produced his driving licence. The police checked the details and found him to have indulged in similar offence twice, the police report adds.

Kishore was earlier caught for drunk driving on April 21, 2012 at KHB Junction and on May 5, 2012 at Siddaiah Puranik Road near Shankar Mutt and had paid a fine for the same. He was booked under section 185 of IMV Act.

‘Bangalore Traffic Police have a strong message to all’

The judge observed that the punishment was to deter him from committing such act in future and also to send a message to the society that no one shall take chance on the life of others by driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol.

The Bangalore City police had launched a special drive to prevent drunk driving cases eight months ago. The police started seizing the vehicles and sending the offenders to the court to pay the fine. The City police have booked as many as 32,739 cases so far against the this offence. The best way to avoid all these fines, and probably jail term is not to drink and drive. If you have been drinking, call a friend or a cab to take you home. Don't risk your life and of others too.