Two slapped with heavy fines for drunk driving

Dubai: An Australian visitor, A.D., 32, has been slapped with a Dh25,000 fine for drunken and reckless driving, driving without a licence and damaging a streetlight.

A British manager, H.M., 50, has also been fined Dh20,500 for drunken and reckless driving, slamming against traffic barricades and running from the scene of the accident, according to a court ruling.

Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Traffic Public Prosecution, revealed there has been a 25 per cent increase in drunk driving cases compared to last year.

"In the first half of 2007 we recorded 491 drunk driving cases and this number has jumped to more than 600 cases for the same period of this year," he said.