Challans no deterrent, underage driving continues unabated

Extensive awareness drives against underage driving notwithstanding, underage drivers have been flouting the norms with traffic cops looking the other way. Traffic cops have failed to nail the offenders violating norms right under their nose.

Since the day the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, came into force on August 1, the traffic police have issued around 150 challans for underage driving.

Initially, traffic cops had tightened the noose around the violators and put up nakas near schools to catch the offenders. They not only warned them but also issued challans to them. However, things are now back to square one.

Before enforcing the new amendments, imposing a hefty fine of ~25,000, three-year jail sentence for flouting the rules, traffic police held many drives to sensitise the schoolchildren and their parents by visiting schools and organising meetings in public places. However, students and people are apparently not paying any heed to this. Minor children can be seen using vehicles while going to tuition centres.

School authorities have also prohibited the students from bringing vehicles inside the school premises. The police also put up flex boards and posters at the entrance of the schools to aware them about these norms under which their parents can be fined ~25,000 or put behind bars for three years.

Traffic police have apparently adopted a lenient approach as the parents face difficulties in dropping and picking up their wards from schools and tuition centres. There are certain vehicles that students can drive.

A minor who violates underage driving rules can also be debarred from obtaining a driving licence until he/she attains the age of 25 years. The registration of non-permitted motor vehicles used by a minor would also be cancelled for 12 months.

“At present, instead of issuing hefty fines on the spot, we are sending challans to the court or the Regional Transport Office for realising the penalty,” said a police official.