MVA 185 — Driving by a drunken person or by a person under the influence of drugs

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Statutory text

Whoever, while driving, or attempting to drive, a motor vehicle -
5[(a) has, in his blood, alcohol exceeding 30 mg. Per 100 ml. of blood detected in a test by a breath analyser, or ]
(b) is under the influence of a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle.
shall be punishable for the first offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both; and for a second or subsequent offence, if committed within three years of the commission of the previous similar offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two year, or with fine which may extend to three thousand rupees, or with both.
Explanation - For the purposes of this section, the drug or drugs specified by the Central Government in this behalf, by notification in the Official Gazette, shall be deemed to render a person incapable of exercising proper control over a motor vehicle.
Corresponding Law. - Section 185 corresponds to section 117 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939.
Objects and Reasons. - Clause 185 provides for punishment or driving under the influence of drink or drug
5. Cl. (a) substituted by Act 54 of 1994, S. 55 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994). Prior to its substitution, Cl. (a) read as under :-
“(a) has, in his blood, alcohol in any quantity, howsoever small the quantity may be, or

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