Traffic police across Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Future City booked a combined 980 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol during recent special enforcement drives, reiterating that there will be zero tolerance towards the offence and warning that drunken drivers involved in fatal crashes could face culpable homicide charges carrying up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Hyderabad Traffic Police registered the highest number of cases, booking 485 motorists during a two-day special drive conducted on July 31 and August 1. Among those caught were 381 two-wheeler riders, 45 three-wheeler drivers and 59 four-wheeler drivers.

The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) analysis showed 103 offenders recorded BAC levels between 30 mg and 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, while 226 fell in the 51-100 mg range. Another 84 drivers recorded 101-150 mg, 36 had 151-200 mg, 16 had 201-250 mg, 12 had 251-300 mg and eight registered BAC levels above 300 mg.

In Cyberabad, a weekend enforcement drive resulted in 333 cases as police caught 269 two-wheeler riders, 11 three-wheeler drivers, 51 four-wheeler drivers and two heavy vehicle drivers under the influence of alcohol. Of all the offenders, 262 had BAC levels between 36 mg and 200 mg per 100 ml, 50 recorded 201-300 mg and 21 registered between 301 mg and 550 mg.

The Future City Traffic Police booked 162 motorists during a week-long special drive between July 25 and July 31. Those booked included 90 two-wheeler riders, eight three-wheeler drivers, 62 four-wheeler drivers and two other vehicle drivers. Police said 152 offenders had BAC levels between 36 mg and 200 mg per 100 ml, seven recorded between 201 mg and 300 mg, while two were found with BAC levels exceeding 300 mg. All the offenders will be produced before the respective courts.

The three commissionerates also released details of recent court disposals.

In Hyderabad’s newly carved Future City Commissionerate, 95 drunk driving cases were disposed of during the week, with seven offenders sentenced to pay a fine and perform social service, while 48 were fined. The weekly traffic enforcement report also stated that no drunk driving offender was sent to jail during the period.

In Cyberabad, 232 drunk driving cases were disposed of between July 27 and August 1. Three offenders were sentenced to jail along with a fine, six were ordered to perform social service in addition to paying a fine, and 223 were fined.

Police said anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a fatal road accident would be booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which carries a maximum punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment along with a fine. They urged motorists not to drink and drive, warning that special enforcement drives would continue.