RTO warns parents who handover vehicles to minors

Srinagar, Nov 19: The Tengpora accident which led to the death of two teenage school boys on the spot and left another critically injured has served as a wake-up call for one and all.

The heart-rending accident last week involving a Thar vehicle pushed the entire Kashmir into mourning and left everyone shell-shocked.

After the unfortunate accident authorities have taken several steps to curb underage driving. Hundreds of vehicles driven by the minors have been seized and major awareness campaigns have been launched to keep the children away from the wheels.

Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic, Muzaffar Ahmed Shah while talking to Greater Kashmir said, “To curb underage driving is not a big issue. It’s a small thing which can be taken care of if the society cooperates. Stakeholders have started to come in and this menace can be curbed by joining hands. If everyone plays a collective role we won’t see minors behind the wheel. Parents and schools have a major role to play. Even clerics and heads of the communities can come forward to restrict the teenage boys from driving the vehicles.”

Regional Transport Officer Kashmir, Shahnawaz Bukhari said, “It’s unfortunate that people are driving vehicles without a licence. No one below 18 years is eligible to even get a learning vehicle.”

Bukhari said, “Under section 3 of the Motor Vehicle Act no underage or unlicensed person can drive a car. Any person giving his vehicle to an unlicensed person or a minor is treated as an accused.”

He said that the law has to be enforced to curb underage driving.

“Parents giving their vehicles to their minor children need to be punished to set an example. Section 199-A needs to be invoked on the owners of the vehicles, who break the law by allowing children to drive,” the RTO added.

During the past few days, authorities have made repeated appeals to the parents, schools and coaching centres not to allow teenage boys and girls to drive two or four-wheelers.

Besides making appeals the traffic policemen are taking stringent action against the ones who are breaking the law.

Authorities acting tough has led to many school students giving up their vehicles and opting for public transport. The message seems to be clear: “Charity has to begin from home” and the parents who hand over keys to underage boys and girls will be held accountable.