Now, drunk drivers to face FIR under BNS section for endangering life & Motor Act

Mumbai: Motorists caught for drunk driving will now face FIRs under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the traffic police chief warned on Thursday. Last year, the traffic police had issued challans to 9,462 motorists for drunk driving while in the first three months of this year, 2,264 had received challans.
Until now, a motorist who was found to have consumed alcohol beyond permissible limits, following a breathanalysis, was asked to pay a monetary deposit An LAC (Local Act Case) was recorded at the nearest police station and the offender was asked to remain present in court. The court would then decide on the punishment.
Now on, an FIR will be registered under section 125 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which deals with acts that endanger the life or personal safety of others. The law says if the reckless act has caused minor harm, the punishment can be imprisonment for up to three months, a fine up to Rs 2,500, or both. But if the act has caused serious harm, the punishment can be more severe.
In addition to BNS, Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act will be slapped on the offender, his driving licence will be seized, and his vehicle will be confiscated. Police sources said stringent action is necessary to deter drunk driving, which is among key causes for fatal crashes. Sources added that on facing an offence under the BNS, motorists may encounter difficulties in applying for passport and visas and for getting police clearance certificates for jobs. — Nitasha Natu