Bengaluru police book 40 tanker drivers in morning drunk-driving checks

Forty water-tanker drivers were booked on drunk-driving charges during a Bengaluru Traffic Police drive conducted from 6am to 9am on August 28.

Police screened 1,476 tanker drivers across the city and registered cases under the Indian Motor Vehicles Act. The checks followed a crash on CDP Road near Gunjur Palya in Whitefield. Police said a water tanker collided with a bike and ran over it; the rider survived and police arrested the tanker driver.

A senior traffic police officer said complaints about rash and negligent driving by water-tanker drivers led to the special drive. Police are also analysing patterns in tanker-related crashes.

Bengaluru Traffic Police has written to the relevant Regional Transport Offices, recommending suspension of the licences of tanker drivers found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol.