Out of a total of 492 people challaned for violating traffic rules, 274 were prosecuted for drunken driving as Delhiites came out in large numbers to celebrate the arrival of new year.

Another 79 were prosecuted for dangerous driving, a senior police official said, adding others who were fined included those who travelled without helmets, triple riding and other offences.

Policemen, armed with Alcometers (breathe analysers), were out in large numbers across the city to nab revellers driving on a 'high', were seen stopping suspected ones and making them breathe into the equipment.

Anybody found driving or attempting to drive a vehicle with an alcohol level above 30 mg per 100 ml blood faces imprisonment up to six months or a Rs 2,000 fine or both. If it is a subsequent challan, they may end up getting a jail term of up to two years or a fine of Rs 3,000 or both.

There was almost a double increase in the number of people caught for traffic violation this year compared to last year's 189 challans on the New Year eve. On December 31, 2007, 85 persons were arrested for drunken driving.