Drink and Drive Fine in Kerala

Yes, in Kerala, like many states in India, the practice of drinking and driving or driving while under the influence of any substance is illegal.

Section 185 of the Motor Vehicle Act and its amendments explicitly mentions that riding a bike or driving a vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol above the permissible limit, i.e. 30 mg per 100ml, is a criminal offence.

If an individual is found engaging in such activities, they will be liable to receive a drink and drive challan issued by the Kerala traffic police authorities.

To deter such behaviour and prevent drunk driving accidents in Kerala, the law enforcement authorities conduct regular checkposts at designated areas and hotspots equipped with barricades. If a traffic police officer suspects and signals you to stop, you must offer complete cooperation.

If any driver is suspected of driving under the influence, breath analysing devices known as Alco metres are used in order to check the level of alcohol. These breath analysers play a pivotal role in determining whether a driver is operating a vehicle while under the influence, holding both legal and scientific recognition.

The suspected driver asked to blow into the mouthpiece of the breath analyser. If the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) exceeds the permissible limit, set at 30mg per 100ml, the driver may be escorted to the nearest police station for further questioning.

The Indian government addresses the issue of driving under the influence by enforcing penalties for drunk and driving offences. This initiative targets both drivers and motorists who operate the vehicle while intoxicated, aiming to protect the lives of other civilians on the road.

• Those found violating traffic regulations for the first time while driving under the influence may face a fine of ₹10,000/- and/or imprisonment for six months.

• For repeat offences, the penalty escalates to ₹15,000/- and/or imprisonment for two years.

It is important to emphasise that charges for drunk driving are case-specific and cannot be broadly generalised. For example, the complexity increases if a third-party harm is caused while driving under the influence. It may potentially elevate the case to a criminal offence and attract more stringent penalties.

When you are charged with a drink and drive challan, a notification will be sent to you on your registered email or mobile number. The Kerala traffic police equipped with an E-challan swiping machine can issue on-spot challan in Kerala. This machine also generates a digital copy of the challan entry on the law enforcement server, maintaining a digital paper trail.

The imposed drink and drive fine in Kerala must be settled within 60 days through offline or online methods from the date of issuance. Failure to comply within the specified timeframe may result in additional fines or a summons for a court hearing.

For Paying The Drink And Drive Fine In Kerala Payment - Online

If you would like to pay for the drink and drive challan in Kerala through an online payment mode, there are three ways you can complete the transaction.

Paying the drink and drive fine in Kerala through the Kerala Police Department Website.

Step 01: Go to the Kerala Police Department website

Step 02: Enter your vehicle registration number and click 'Search'.

Step 03: Choose the unpaid E-Challan you want to pay and click 'Proceed to Pay'. Confirm by clicking 'OK'

Step 04: Choose your payment method and fill in your details, then click “Make Payment’.

Step 05: After processing, you'll be redirected to a page indicating the transaction status – Success or Failure.

Step 06: Click “Generate Invoice” and download the payment receipt for future reference.

Paying the drink and drive penalty in Kerala through the E-Challan Parivahan Kerala Portal.

Step 01: Access the E-Challan Parivahan portal.

Step 02: Select the ‘Pay Online’ option.

Step 03: Select your preferred option from Vehicle Number, Challan Number, or Driver’s License number and enter a few details with a captcha, then click ‘Get Details’.

Step 04: Choose the E-Challan(s) you wish to pay.

Step 05: Pick your payment method, input the necessary details, and proceed to pay the drunk and drive fine amount.

Step 06: Download the payment receipt and keep it for future reference.

Paying the drink and drive challan in Kerala through the Paytm Application

Step 01: Open the Paytm app on your mobile and select ‘Show More’ on the home page.

Step 02: Tap on ‘Recharge and Pay Bills’, then click on ‘Challan’.

Step 03: Choose the traffic authority of Kerala.

Step 04: Enter your driving licence number, registration number or E-Challan number.

Step 05: By selecting ‘Proceed’, your challan details and drunk and drive fine amount will be displayed.

Step 06: Enter the fine amount and select your preferred payment mode.

Step 07: Download the payment receipt and save it for future reference.

For Paying The Drink And Drive Penalty In Kerala Offline

There are two ways you can pay the drunk and drive fine through an offline method.

Paying the charges for drunk driving to the Traffic Police officer:**

Step 01: For on-the-spot payments, use the printed copy received from the officer for reference.

Step 02: Approach a traffic police officer with a handheld E-Challan machine. Mention your driver's licence and registration details.

Step 03: Complete the transaction and get the payment receipt.

Paying the charges for drunk driving in the Traffic Police station:**

Step 01: Visit the nearest traffic police station in Kerala.

Step 02: Take your E-challan print out, driving licence, and registration details along with you.

Step 03: Inquire about challan payments at the front desk and pay your fine.

Step 04: Complete the transaction and get the payment receipt for future reference.

While drinking at social events for added fun and entertainment might be an enjoyable act, driving under the influence with overconfidence can be fatal and could also jeopardise others' lives. In order to avoid such instances, the following are a few tips:

• Opt for buses, taxis, or rideshare services when alcohol consumption is part of the plan.

• Choose a designated driver who will abstain from alcohol for the duration of the outing.

Drinking and driving poses a severe risk to multiple lives. To avoid such uncertainties, it is crucial to abstain from driving under the influence.

The Motor Vehicle Act mandates the acquisition of third-party two-wheeler insurance for all motorists. When purchasing your car or bike insurance, consider opting for a renowned insurance provider like Tata AIG. We offer budget-friendly bike insurance policies with extensive coverage. Moreover, choosing long-term two-wheeler insurance can ease the hassle of annual renewals and help in avoiding penalties as well.

Investing in bike insurance immediately after purchasing a bike is recommended. This provides invaluable financial help in case of accidents involving yourself and your loved ones. Promote responsible behaviour by sharing information about the perils of driving under the influence with friends and family.

Always prioritise responsible drinking!