Aware of danger, yet feel helpless

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 16

A recent incident of a minor driving a Mercedes and allegedly trying to run over a cop at traffic lights has highlighted a dangerous trend of students driving vehicles without fear.

The policeman sustained minor head injuries in the melee whereas the underage driver fled from the spot.

School authorities and cops believe that onus of providing a vehicle to teenagers lies entirely upon parents, however, kids and parents say tuitions and peer pressure are major factors behind teenage driving.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act 1998, no person under the age of 18 years can drive a motor vehicle in any public place. Only a vehicle without gear with an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc can be driven in a public place by a person after attaining an age of 16 years.

Kamaljit Soi, a member of Ministry of Road Transport and Highway and international road safety, transportation expert said, “No underage child is found driving a motorcycle with engine power less than 50 cc. Infact, we see 100 cc two-wheelers plying on road. Leave alone two-wheelers, teens can be seen driving four wheelers as well.” Soi said, “According to the law, if an underage driver drives a vehicle and meets with an accident, the owner or a person in charge of the vehicle can be held accountable.”

“The reason why we do not allow children to drive is that they lack maturity and experience. Teenagers fail to anticipate whether a vehicle can pass through a crossing or not. Children just want to rush through traffic without realising dire consequences. In Western countries, there is a graduated driver licencing (GDL) system that is designed to provide new drivers with skills and experience, gradually over a period of time. However, in our country the method of procuring licence itself is flawed,” added Soi.

ADCP Traffic Sukhpal Brar said, “We do challan underage drivers but parents have to keep a check on their children. Numerous times we have to deal with underage drivers. Students nowadays have two or three tuitions. Besides, riding a bicycle will prove to be more lethal for kids keeping in view prevalent traffic in the city. We will carry out a drive to raise awareness among students.”

Principal of BCM School Basant City Vandana Shahi said, “We do not allow students to park their vehicles inside the school’s premises, however, they park vehicles outside at a private parking. A few days ago, a parent wanted to meet me to allow his 14-year-old son park his vehicle in the school parking. We have updated all information related to underage driving and traffic rules at our official website as well.”

“We sometimes call cops after school hours to challan vehicles to instill fear of law. However, the problem cannot be solved without involvement of parents. A sixth class student can be seen rushing to tuitions right after school.”

A 16-year-old student quipped that peer pressure is another factor that can be attributed to ever increasing teenage driving. “Recently, my father gifted me a Royal Enfield on my birthday. I expressed desire for an expensive bike after my classmate purchased one,” he said.

Naveen Sharma, whose son is studying in Class X said, “My son has to attend two back-to-back tuitions after school. We have no choice but to give him a two-wheeler. Neither cycling is feasible nor public transportation is in order.”