Sir,

Underage children driving vehicles is one of the serious road safety violations. Minors riding two-wheelers is rampant in Mysuru city and it is being regularly noticed not only in residential localities but also on major roads and Highways.

Minors of too young age (12-16 years) driving with one or even two pillions (triple riding) either by boys alone or girls alone or in the combination or taking elders as pillion(s) is also seen. It is a pity that parents or  guardians are not only giving their two-wheelers to their minor wards, but also encouraging underage driving (see photos).

Parents are neither worried about road safety nor the penalty [Rs. 25,000 and imprisonment up to 3 years and such minors will be debarred to get driving license till they attain 25 years of age, effective from 1st September, 2019 (Sec. 199A and 199B of the Motor Vehicle Act)] and allowing their minors to drive when they themselves are traveling as pillions. Preventing minors rather than penalising them or their parents is the main idea of increasing the penalties.

People should understand the consequences of minor driving and the accidents, if they cause. Sometimes it may lead of death of the minors or cause injuries. While driving, many minors of city have lost their lives.

At national level, in 2018, around 10,000 minors died in road accidents and they account for 7% of total road accident deaths. Instead of repenting after any untoward incident it is better to prevent minor driving for the safety of the fellow motorists and other road users.

– Dr. S. V. N. Vijayendra, Traffic Warden, Roopanagar, 16.3.2020

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