Another 79 were prosecuted for dangerous driving, a senior police officer said, adding that others who were fined included motorcyclists not wearing helmets and triple riding. Incidentally, no women drivers were found breaking the law.

“Our drive has been largely successful and New Year celebrations passed off largely incident-free,” Joint Commissioner (Traffic) S N Shrivastav said. Nearly 4,300 policemen were posted along city roads till 3 am, armed with alcometers to check revellers driving after drinking. Police Training College trainees too chipped in.

There was almost a two-fold increase in the number of people caught for traffic violations this year, as compared to last year’s 189 challans on the New Year’s Eve. On December 31, 2007, 85 persons were arrested for drunken driving.

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

“We didn’t want to spoil anyone’s party but we want them to reach home safely. So we had to be a little strict,” a senior police officer said. Traffic was haywire in many parts of the Capital, including almost all major roads and intersections like ITO, Vikas Marg and Nizamuddin Bridge.

No Honking Day: 773 drivers in net

A record 773 drivers were issued challans for honking on New Year’s Day by the traffic police, which along with NGO Earth Saviours Foundation was observing “No Honking Day”.

First time offenders were challaned Rs 100 but a subsequent offence meant a fine of Rs 300. Motorists with pressure horns or multi-toned horns also faced action. “Motorists are advised to remove pressure horns and multi-unit devices to avoid prosecution and also to contribute sensibly towards the eradication of indiscriminate use of horns, in the interest and safety of the public,” a senior police officer said. Blowing horns “unnecessarily” in silence zones, at signalled junctions, and using multi-toned horns and pressure horns aided by engine pressure are illegal, the officer said.