167 drunk drivers booked in week-long crackdown in Madurai

Madurai: Madurai city police booked 167 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol during a week-long enforcement drive and collected ₹16.7 lakh in fines as part of efforts to curb road accidents and fatalities.Police said special vehicle checks were conducted daily at major junctions across the city. During the drive, 2,967 cases were booked against riders for not wearing helmets, while 345 pillion riders were penalised for not wearing helmets. Another 148 motorists were fined for violating stop-line rules.Vehicles with improper or altered registration number plates were also intercepted, and motorists were counselled to use standard number plates.

Officials said such vehicles were allowed to proceed only after the defects were rectified, adding that repeat offenders would face legal action.To improve road safety, traffic police, along with officials of the Regional Transport Office and the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, conducted an awareness programme for mini-bus drivers, conductors, owners and managers on Monday.Police said the initiative was aimed at promoting safe driving practices, reducing accidents and improving traffic discipline, as minibuses have often been linked to road accidents and traffic congestion. Participants also took a road safety pledge.The city police appealed to motorists to follow traffic rules and cooperate with enforcement measures to help reduce accidents and improve traffic flow.