Mumbai traffic police officials have booked a total of 840 motorists for drunk driving during this New Year's Eve as irresponsible residents broke the law during New Year celebrations in India's financial capital.

Hundreds of drivers began driving their vehicles under the influence of alcohol even after a numerous messages and a rigorous campaigning by the traffic department against drunk driving in the city. The traffic police officials found these people driving between 8pm on December 31 and 6am on January 1 under the influence of alcohol.

During 2011, the officials had booked a total of 739 drunk drivers on the New Year's Eve. Data shows that about 4,444 of the total 14,420 people booked for drunk driving in 2012 were found to be without a license. A total of 16,324 cases of drink driving were registered in 2011.

Brijesh Singh, additional commissioner of police for traffic said, "Out of the total number of motorists arrested in 2012 for drink driving, one-third was found driving without a licence. We registered 2,939 cases of drink driving in December alone. More cases were registered this New Year's eve because of the extensive drive."

It is believed that the efforts of the traffic department and rigorous checking in the city have ensured a smooth celebration night without mishaps reported.