TNN

Bangalore, Apr 7: It was an uncommon sight: about 1,500 traffic policemen were out on the city streets between 10 pm on Saturday and 1 am on Sunday in an extraordinary crackdown against drunk and disorderly driving. For those who spent their Saturday at a watering hole, this was not a night to remember. Among those caught for traffic violations and drunken driving were kids of well-placed people.

A record number of 2,906 cases were booked within three hours, as 400 traffic officers and 1,000 traffic policemen combed the streets. The major junctions where the operation was carried out included Trinity junction, Brigade Road, Koramangala 100 ft Road, Kamaraj Road and Silk Board junction. The initiative, called 'Operation Wheel Watch' and steered by the Traffic Management Centre, was headed by additional commissioner of police, traffic, Praveen Sood.

While drunken driving topped the list with 781 cases, followed by 448 jumping traffic signals, other violations included flashy headlights, driving against one-ways, reckless driving and riding without helmet.

Son of a top income tax official and son of a principal from a girls' school were among many VIPs caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

A person driving a car, accompanied by three girls, was stopped at Trinity Circle, but managed to escape."The duty allotment and the plan of action was made in such a way that there are hardly any escape routes left. The car which escaped from Trinity Circle was caught at the next junction on Airport Road," said traffic officials.