Drink and Drive Fine in West Bengal

Nationwide, the act of drinking and driving is counted as a punishable offence, and West Bengal is no exception. In 2022, over 13,686 road accidents were recorded in West Bengal, out of which more than 87 were due to drunken driving.

According to Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, drinking and driving poses a serious threat to the lives of drivers and pedestrians, making it a criminal act.

Therefore, the laws and charges for drunk driving are to be taken seriously by all residents and visitors in West Bengal. Failure to comply can lead to other strict consequences like licence suspension, DL cancellation, and court orders.

The West Bengal Traffic Police uses a breathalyser, a machine approved by the Central Government, to check and impose a drink-and-drive penalty on vehicle drivers in West Bengal.

These machines are readily available with the officers present at the pre-decided checkpoints. These are chosen based on locality, nearby areas, availability of alcohol providers in the areas, previous number of road accidents, etc.

When someone is suspected of driving under the influence, the vehicle owner is asked to take a breathalyser test to determine their blood alcohol content (BAC). If the BAC is higher than 0.03% per 100 ml of blood, the vehicle owner is issued a drink-and-drive challan in West Bengal.

*Note - The drunk-and-drive fine for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, three-wheelers, and commercial vehicles is the same

For Paying the Drunk and Drive Fine Amount Online: Finance Department Government of West Bengal Website

Go to the official website of the Finance Department, Government of West Bengal.

From the homepage, select the “Pay Now” option.

Add your mobile number in the pop-up window and click on “Generate OTP”.

Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number.

Enter the depositor details by selecting “Self”.

Add the other requested information carefully. This includes department, service and tax details.

Review the added information and click on “Confirm”.

Make the necessary payment using the available payment methods.

Collect your receipt.

For Paying the Drunk and Drive Fine Amount Online: Parivahan Website

Visit the Parivahan e-challan website.

Select “Pay Online” from the top tab.

Enter your challan number. Alternatively, you can add your vehicle or driving licence number, depending on availability.

Once done, add the captcha code provided below and click on “Get Detail”.

Your due drink and drive challan will be displayed on the screen.

Select it and make the payment using one of the online payment options.

Collect the payment receipt once done.

For Paying Charges for Drunk Driving Fine Offline

Visit the nearest police station, provide your challan number to the officer in charge, wait for his confirmation, pay the necessary drink and drive fine in cash, and collect your payment receipt.

Find a traffic police officer with a swipe machine, give him your challan copy or challan number, provide any other requested information, wait for him to check for your due challan, make the payment, and collect the receipt for proof of payment.

Refrain from taking your vehicle for outings when you plan to drink.

Hire a part-time driver for commutes during night outs.

Book an Ola or Uber service to and from the drinking location to be safe.

Make use of public transport.

Choose a designated driver in the group who is not drinking.

Ask family members or friends to pick you up if you are out drinking.

Driving after drinking can reduce your attention and focus, impacting your correct navigation judgement skills. This poses a serious threat to the lives of yourself and the people or vehicles around you. Thus, to avoid charges of drunk driving, practising safe and responsible driving is necessary.

Additionally, to comply with the other West Bengal traffic laws, having third-party insurance for a 2-wheeler or 4-wheeler is necessary. This type of four or two-wheeler insurance policy provides financial assistance in case your vehicle causes damage or loss to a third party or their property.

However, to protect your car or bike from unforeseen damage and loss, especially due to drunk driving by someone else, investing in comprehensive two-wheeler insurance or four-wheeler insurance is crucial.

We at Tata AIG offer customisable, comprehensive plans for car and bike insurance to ensure you get the required coverage based on individual preferences. With a claim settlement ratio of 98%, we have a team of 650 experts available 24/7 to assist you with all claim queries for timely settlements.

Is the blood alcohol content limit the same for two and four-wheelers in West Bengal?

Yes, the permitted blood alcohol content limit of 30 mg of alcohol per 100 ml blood is applicable to all vehicle categories in West Bengal.

Is there a grace period for drink and drive challan in West Bengal?

All challans in West Bengal need to be cleared within 60 days of their issuance. Failure to do so can result in a court case. Thus, it is recommended that you clear all your due challans as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties and other severe consequences.

Other than breathalysers, how else can the police check for BAC in West Bengal?

Some noticeable signs of intoxication include unsteady balance, unusual driving control, slurred speech, etc. If you are suspected of any of these signs, you will be pulled over by an officer. Then, they can ask for a blood test to determine the BAC.