Pune Court Orders Drunk Driver to Distribute 1,000 Road Safety Flyers
Pune Court Orders Drunk Driver to Distribute 1,000 Road Safety Flyers
Pune courts have handed down an unusual sentence to a 28-year-old man caught driving under the influence of alcohol in July this year. Alongside a monetary fine, the court directed him to print 1,000 flyers highlighting the dangers of drunk driving and personally distribute them at traffic signals across the city. The decision was made under Section 23 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which empowers courts to assign community service as a form of punishment benefiting society. Individuals ordered to perform such tasks are not entitled to any payment for their work.
The case began on July 22, 2025, when the Hinjawadi Traffic Police Division in Pimpri Chinchwad stopped the driver while he was operating his vehicle intoxicated. He was booked under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act, which applies to persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
On Monday, the Pune Motor Vehicle Court found the driver guilty. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Pimpri Chinchwad, Vivek Patil, said, “The court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the offender. Additionally, he has been ordered to print 1,000 flyers warning motorists about the dangers of drunk driving and personally distribute them at traffic signals while informing the public about the relevant laws. Failure to pay the fine will result in 10 days of simple imprisonment.”
Authorities have stipulated that the flyers must be handed out within five days, and the local traffic division is tasked with submitting a report confirming compliance. DCP Patil further explained that the Pimpri Chinchwad Police have conducted special enforcement drives to curb drunk driving. “Efforts are focused on reducing accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. From January to September this year, 2,984 cases of drunk driving have been registered and prosecuted. These drives will continue to maintain safer roads,” he added.
The legal process for handling drunk driving involves testing the driver’s blood alcohol level using a breath analyser. If a driver exceeds 30 milligrams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood or is impaired due to drugs to the extent that proper vehicle control is compromised, they are booked under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act.
First-time offenders may face a fine, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Repeat offences within three years can result in imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both. Pune courts have consistently taken strict action against drunk driving. In September, two men received 15 days of simple imprisonment along with fines after being found guilty of driving under the influence and committing other traffic violations.
The innovative approach of combining a financial penalty with community service is intended to educate the public while penalizing the offender. By having the driver interact directly with motorists and distribute flyers, the court hopes to increase awareness about road safety and discourage reckless behavior.
