Travelling with a drunk driver? Get ready to be booked by cops

CHENNAI: The Chennai traffic police started booking passengers of private vehicles accompanying a drunken driver since Wednesday night, police said on Thursday.

Passenger may or may not be drunk. But, he or she accompanying a drunk driver is a crime, police noted.

"Passengers accompanying drunken drivers in private vehicles will know very well that the driver is drunk. This is an abetment and we are booking the co-passengers accompanying drunken drivers of private vehicles for abetting," a senior police officer said.

This is not applicable to taxi drivers and auto drivers as the passengers are getting into cabs without knowing if the driver is under the influence of alcohol or not.

Officials are using the provisions of Section 188 of the MVA to book those who abet driving under influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Persons, except the unknown passengers who are traveling in buses taxis autos etc., accompanying the rider (in case of two wheelers) or driver of the motor vehicle who is under the influence of alcohol, will also be booked for abetment of the same offense under MV Act," one officer clarified.