Odisha Transport Dept Asks Twin City Police To Arrest Tipsy Drivers | OTV News

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha transport division has directed the Commissionerate Police to arrest drunken drivers as per the provisions of MV Act as an alternative of compounding such offences.
The course got here in response to a information article printed in a newspaper {that a} lady who was caught driving on the unsuitable facet and drunk at AG Square within the metropolis was allowed to let go after a advantageous of Rs 500.
In a letter, Transport Department Principal Secretary Madhu Sudan Padhi requested police commissioner of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to research beneath which circumstances the driving force was allowed to compound the offence.
Besides, the Police Commissioner has been requested to concern directions to all of the police stations to not compound the drunken driving instances and arrest the offenders.
In the letter, Padhi referred the course of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety which states that, “In case of driving a vehicle under the influence of drinks and drugs, the police should prosecute the offender and seek imprisonment as prescribed under Section 185 of MV Act, 1988 even for the first offence.”
“Also, in case of drunken driving, the Supreme Court Committee has directed for suspension of licence for a period of not less than three months under Section 19 of MV act, 1988,” Padhi added within the letter.
“As per Section 185 of the MV Act, whoever, while driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of drinks and drugs shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine of Rs 10,000 or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to fifteen thousand rupees or with both,” he mentioned.
Padhi additional acknowledged energy for compounding beneath part 185 of the MV Act has not been delegated to the Police Officers.
He mentioned 1,068 street accidents occurred within the State resulting from drunken driving in 2019.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)