Despite warning, underage drivers openly flout amended traffic norms

Chandigarh, August 23

Though the police have initiated a drive to issue challans to underage drivers, scores of schoolchildren openly flouted the traffic guidelines today.

Initially, the new norms under the Motor Vehicles Act were to be implemented from August 1. However, following the requests of parents, the Punjab Police gave a grace period of 20 days.

Talking to The Tribune correspondents, the traffic police teams conceded that even after giving additional 20 days to the parents to make alternative pick-and-drop arrangements for their wards, violations continued unabated.

The norms prohibit the underage from driving any vehicle beyond the permissible engine limit (50cc). Even parents of underage kids could face a fine of Rs 25,000, besides a three-year imprisonment.

In Ludhiana, some schoolchildren were issued challans but most were let off after a stern warning. Besides, a noticeable decline was observed in the number of children getting their vehicles on the campus.

The Gurdaspur police issued 25 challans to the violators. A majority of the offenders were stopped opposite the Government Senior Secondary School for Girls. However, blatant violations in front of private schools were ignored.

In Jalandhar, 18 underage drivers were challaned. ACP (Traffic) Pritpal Singh said as many as 500 seminars had been organised in several schools across Jalandhar. The parents and the students had been cautioned about the harsher penalties under the amended MVA but they don’t seem bothered, he said.

No challans were issued for underage driving in Patiala. DSP (Traffic) AR Sharma said, “We continued with our awareness drive to motivate youngsters to quit underage driving voluntarily.”

In Amritsar, a total of seven challans were issued and four vehicles were impounded.

In Bathinda, schoolchildren could be seen flouting the norms. SSP Amneet Kondal said, “Three challans were issued yesterday. The figures for today are awaited.”