CM raises concern over underage driving as SUV crash leaves two teenagers dead
Two teenage boys died and one was injured when their car rammed into a stationary truck before hitting a road divider at Tengpora on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway on Thursday. After the incident, political leaders and civil society members have expressed concern over rise in road mishaps in the Valley.
Hamaad and Aseem Sofi, both aged 17, died in the accident, leaving their families devastated. One of the injured is in a critical state.
The accident occurred on Thursday when the teenagers were driving an SUV. CCTV footage of the incident has been widely circulated on social media.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressed grief over the loss of lives.
“This accident claimed precious young lives & has had a devastating impact on their families. My heart goes out to the families of the boys killed in this tragic accident,” Omar wrote on X.
Stating that, “Our cars get quicker, our roads get better but our road sense shows no sign of improving,” Omar added, “Speed thrills but it kills with no remorse. Traffic rules are there for a reason, they keep us safe but only if we follow them.”
Earlier this month, a teenager was killed while two others were injured after the car they were travelling in overturned at Lawaypora on the Srinagar outskirts.
Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said, “The rise in road accidents, especially those caused by careless driving, is deeply concerning.”
“It is heartbreaking to see photographs of the young boys who lost their lives in recent accidents in Lawaypora and Tengapora, leaving their families, especially their parents, devastated. Authorities must enforce strict measures to prevent reckless driving, stunts, and underage driving,” he wrote on X.
“Strict action against traffic violators, a complete ban on underage driving, and a comprehensive awareness campaign are urgently needed,” he added.
J&K Civil Society Forum chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, too expressed deep concern over the rising number of road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir.
Hurriyat Conference chairman and Jamia Masjid’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq during his Friday sermon said there was an “alarming rise in vehicular accidents across Kashmir.”
While urging parents to exercise caution in providing young individuals with vehicles, Mirwaiz said, “Parents must be wary of granting their children access to bikes and cars that they speed on, endangering their own lives and others.”
Mirwaiz also criticised the government’s “lack of seriousness” in addressing the growing traffic issue leading to such incidents.
While calling on authorities to take stringent measures to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and to promote road safety awareness, he highlighted that many people, particularly the young, ride motorcycles and scooters at fast speeds and without helmets, risking severe injuries or fatalities.
On Friday, SSP Traffic Srinagar Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said that they have begun focusing on traffic violations where minors are driving the vehicles. The SSP (Traffic) said the prime responsibility is of parents because a minor with no driving license should not get access to a two or four-wheeler.
He also held schools responsible for allowing minors to come in two-wheelers or four-wheelers. “It has to be a cooperative and collaborative effort from parents, schools and traffic police. We have to be on the same page to stop this,” the SSP (Traffic) said.
