Underage driving rampant as admn goes soft on violators

The recent tragic death of two teenage boys in a road mishap on the Srinagar-Baramula highway is the grim reminder of how the authorities concerned have adopted a lenient attitude towards underage driving and its fatal consequences.

Despite the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways amending the Central Motor Vehicles Act 2019 by imposing stricter penalties in order to deter the guardians from allowing the minors riding vehicles beyond the permissible limits, young teenagers can be seen driving two wheelers without any check.

Owing to non-implementation of the existing traffic norms coupled with the indifferent attitude of society, underage driving is still the menace posing a threat to other commuters.

Though the amended norms came into force in August this year along with a 20-day grace period given by the traffic police to the parents for adopting other ways for picking and dropping their wards to schools, no perceptible change has been seen in this regard.

As per the records of traffic police, only 17 challans has been issued since the enforcement of the Amended Act in August this year. Of them, seven were referred to court and the remaining 10 were forwarded to the Regional Transport Office for issuing fines.

Under the Act, the parents of a juvenile or the owner of the vehicle is deemed guilty and therefore liable for punishment. The guardian or the owner had to face a penalty to the tune of Rs 25,000 or face imprisonment of up to three years while the registration of the vehicle would be cancelled for a year. Besides, the offender would not be given a driving licence or learner’s licence till he has attained the age of 25.

Ravi Mahajan, a prominent lawyer, said until the law-enforcing agency implements the law strictly, underage drivers will continue to pose a threat to other commuters.

“Teenagers are not matured enough to take decisions while driving. They tend to indulge in overspeeding as they feel thrilled while driving at high speed. However it is fraught with risks. Speed thrills but kills,” said Lakhbir Singh, a local resident.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the department has taken measures to educate children and educational institutes on the risks involved in driving by minors. He said it is the duty and responsibility of the parents as well as of the teacher also in instilling a good civic and traffic sense in children.