Underage driving goes unabated despite police tightening noose on violators

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 2

Has underage driving in the holy city witnessed a decline? The traffic cops recently tightened the noose around schoolchildren indulging in underage driving. During the campaign, the traffic police laid nakas near schools and even issued challans to offenders, besides warning them of legal action.

Nevertheless, children can still be seen driving vehicles, which are prevented under the Motor Vehicles Act for underage drivers, while going to schools and tuition centres.

“Steps taken by the Punjab Police are appreciable, but it’s very difficult for working parents to pick and drop their children from schools and tuitions centres. Besides, the city does not have safe public transport,” said Pritpaul Singh, a resident of the Amar Kot area.

“After attending school, children go to tuition centres for attending classes of various subjects. How can it be possible for parents to pick and drop their wards from every tuition centre? Even using school vans is neither safe nor economical. School transport vehicle charges are exorbitant,” said Deepak Sharma, a resident of the Guru Arjan Dev Nagar area.

Harpal Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Traffic, said, “The rules are meant for the safety of the people and should be followed diligently. We gave enough time to residents to make alternate transport arrangements for their children to go to schools and tuition centres. Residents should follow the norms and those who fail to do so, would face the law.” School managements are also discouraging children from bringing bikes and scooters to their respective institutions.