Srinagar police seize hundreds of vehicles over traffic violations

Following the death of two teenage boys in a road accident in Srinagar last week, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized hundreds of vehicles in the last few days for violation of traffic rules.

A senior J&K traffic police official said in the last few days, police in Srinagar zone have seized hundreds of vehicles, including two wheelers, during a special drive launched against traffic violators.

“Most common violations include driving without license, missing documents and unauthorised modifications to vehicles,” said the official.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Srinagar, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said they are getting support from the court as well. “The court has also pitched in and they are not releasing the vehicles immediately after we seize them,” he said.

He said after the police action, the number of minors driving vehicles on Srinagar roads, is witnessing a decline.

Also, several petrol pumps in the city have displayed posters reading “no fuel to minors”. The employees at such fuel stations said minors riding two-wheelers or without helmets, or driving four-wheelers, will not be provided fuel to ensure their safety and to discourage underage driving.

The move by the fuel stations has been hailed by the people, who have also demanded that all the petrol pumps should follow the suit.

Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has also announced that no commodities will be sold to minors driving vehicles.

KTMF president Mohammad Yaseen Khan said the decision stems from the collective responsibility of the business community to address the alarming rise in minor driving, which endangers lives on the roads. “We believe that restricting access to commodities, particularly on items like petrol, cigarettes and other goods often associated with misuse by minors will help discourage this dangerous behaviour,” he said.

Several schools in the city have also prohibited minor students from riding two-wheelers and driving vehicles. They have asked minor students to desist from coming to the schools on two-wheelers and in cars. They have assured full cooperation to the Traffic Department to curb the menace.

Directorate of School Education (DSE) has issued a circular prohibiting minor students from driving motor vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers, to their schools. It impressed upon the Heads of Institutions of all government and private schools and coaching centres to implement the instructions strictly. “Any instance of a minor driving a vehicle should be immediately reported to the concerned authorities. They should also regularly coordinate with the Traffic Police to enforce strict measures,” the circular said.