4 minutes of readingPuneUpdated: February 10, 2026 11:25 am IST
The Traffic Enforcement Division of Pune City Police has launched a series of counseling programs for drivers caught drunk driving, as part of its road safety drive. During these sessions, violators are informed about legal provisions, road safety regulations and strict measures they may face in the future, and the police show zero tolerance for repeat violations.
Within the framework of the Road Safety Campaign, the Pune The city traffic police organized a counseling program on Monday at the Pune police headquarters in Shivajinagar. Deputy Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav addressed the gathering.
This was the second such session held by the traffic section, the first being held on February 2. The programs are being conducted as directed by Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to curb drunk driving.
Under the initiative, drivers of vehicles arrested under the Motor Vehicles Act for drunk driving offenses will be summoned for counselling. About 600 offenders attended Monday’s session.
“These sessions are held every Monday as part of a series we have launched. The main objective of the program is to inculcate compliance with traffic rules among drivers, promote safe driving practices and create awareness on social responsibility. During the programme, presentations were made on road safety campaign. The attendees were also given detailed guidance on the consequences of drink driving, loss of life caused by accidents as well as relevant legal commissions and penalties,” DCP Jadhav said.
“It was strongly conveyed that driving after consuming alcohol is not simply a violation of law but is dangerous to the society. Drivers were also urged to drive safely and responsibly. Around 600 accused vehicle drivers were present in the programme. The participants took advantage of the counseling session and assured the police that they would not commit such offenses in future and would strictly adhere to traffic rules,” he said.
“All traffic divisions have also been directed to implement special anti-drunk driving campaigns henceforth and take stricter action than before in such cases. In 2024, around 4,000 people were caught drunk driving and in 2025, the number approached 6,500. This year we plan to conduct consecutive anti-drunk driving drives,” Jadhav added.
Police use breathalyzer tests to monitor drunk driving. The device detects the concentration of ethanol in a person’s breath, which corresponds to the concentration of alcohol in their blood. Those with alcohol levels above the permitted limit are booked and prosecuted in designated courts.
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Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act refers to driving by a person who is drunk or under the influence of drugs. If a person has an alcohol level greater than 30 milligrams per 100 ml of blood, detected by a breathalyzer test, or is under the influence of drugs to the point of being unable to exercise adequate control over the vehicle, the crime carries punishment.
For a first offence, the provision carries a prison sentence of up to six months, or a fine, or both, and may also result in the cancellation of the driving licence. For a second or subsequent offense committed within three years of the previous offense, the prison sentence may be extended to two years, or a fine, or both.