If you are caught driving drunk and do not possess a driving licence (DL), you will be asked to produce an affidavit to support your claim.
Ever since the city police began recommending the suspension of DLs of errant motorists, a large number of persons caught driving in a drunken state had begun claiming that they did not possess a DL in an effort to dodge the police. They would pay a fine of Rs. 300 and escape having their licences suspended.
Forwarded to RTO
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) K.N. Madaiah told The Hindu that the affidavit produced by motorists caught for driving in a drunken state would be forwarded to the RTO concerned to verify the claim of the errant motorist and take necessary action. “If a DL is found in the name of the offender, we will ask the Transport Department to suspend the same.”
“After we started confiscating the DLs of persons booked for drunken driving, many had started claiming that they do not possess a licence. So, we have now started demanding the affidavit before releasing the vehicle,” he said.
However, a police official admitted that instances of people faking their names and addresses to mislead the police are also rampant.
Persons booked for drunken driving will have to pay a penalty ranging from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,500 in court. Only after they pay the penalty will their vehicle be released.
Inquiry
Meanwhile, officials in the Transport Department said most of the DLs they receive for suspension are suspended after holding an inquiry with the offenders.
“Almost all the DLs that are confiscated and sent to us from the police are suspended. The fact that the errant motorists pay a penalty amounts to a confession of their mistake,” said Deputy Commissioner for Transport, Mysuru, Siddappa Kallera.
Padma Prasad, RTO, Mysuru East, said that most of the DLs that are suspended for a duration of one month. In some cases, the DLs may be suspended for two or more months. Mmotorists can resume driving after the suspension period lapses.
However, Mr. Kallera clarified that the Transport Department, which issues a notice to summon the driver for a hearing, will take a decision on the duration of suspension based on gravity of the offence.
The police have threatened to recommend cancellation of licences belonging to persons found driving during the period of suspension or repeating the offence. Transport Department officials said the power to cancel licences rests with the courts.
