Traffic police to act tough against minors driving vehicles

Traffic police explain traffic rules to students in Mysuru. DH File Photo

The Traffic Police has come up with several initiatives to put an end to rising cases of minors riding and driving vehicles in the city, including stern action against vehicle owners who allow them to use vehicles.

The City Traffic Police have launched a drive and booked more than 50 cases in connection with minors driving vehicles in the last three days. Besides, the police are also making efforts to educate the minors as well as parents not to allow their children to ride or drive vehicles without a valid driving licence.

In a recent move, the police have sought the support of the petrol bunk staff and the owners to inform the police if they found any unauthorised drivers or riders visiting their fuel station. The police are making efforts to ensure the safety of road users.

It has to be noted that three of a family was killed as a car, which was driven by a minor boy rammed into their two-wheeler, near Dandi Maramma Temple on Mysuru-Bengaluru Road, recently. Likewise, several other cases were reported in the city.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S N Sandesh Kumar told DH, “We have requested the petrol bunk authorities to join hands to put an end to minors driving. They just need to alert us if any unauthorised drivers or riders visit their station. We can collect the vehicle registration number through CCTV camera footages.”

“We have launched a drive in the city and more than 50 cases of minors driving vehicles were reported in three days,” he said.

According to police, unauthorised riders can avoid police and camera installed by the department but not the fuel station. Thus, the police sought their support, he said.

The ACP said the parents and the owners of the vehicles need to be very careful before allowing minor driving. As per the law, vehicle owners shall be punished with imprisonment that may extend to three months or with fine, or with both, according to Section 180 of Indian Motor Vehicle (IMV) Act. The provision deals with allowing unauthorised persons to drive the vehicle,” he said.

The ACP said while a few owners are not aware about the impact of violation, a section of parents are not bothered to stop their children from violating norms. However, the police will not tolerate minors driving or riding, he said.

As education institutions have started functioning, the police will visit the institutions and encourage students not to violate traffic norms, he said.