In an effort to curb the menace of drag racing and stunt riding on bikes, the city police are visiting schools and colleges to conduct awareness programmes. They have requested authorities to discourage students from getting their vehicles to school or college.
“We are conducting awareness campaigns in schools and colleges across the city, advising students not to ride bikes or drive cars until they get a driver’s licence. We have also been requesting school and college authorities to not provide parking space to students who don’t have licences,” said a traffic police officer.
However, this is not a new initiative. With a rise in youths performing dangerous stunts on bikes and racing cars, endangering their lives as well as that of others, the Education Department had last year issued an internal circular directing the authorities concerned to enforce a parking ban in institutions across the State for students without DLs. However, it has, to date, not been implemented. Senior officials of the Education Department, too, are unaware of the circular dated June 30, 2016.
The circular was issued following directions from the HC while delivering a judgment pertaining to an accident. It noted that educational institutions should rusticate students for violating such restrictions.
Even if these directions are implemented, several colleges expressed doubts over whether the ban would deter students from bringing their own vehicles to the campus. A principal of a PU college said that while colleges ask students to produce a driving license when they utilise parking facilities, it is not strictly enforced. "Many students also park outside the campus when we ask them for their DL and ask them to wear a helmet," the principal added.
Traffic police believe that strict enforcement of the rules will go a long way in bringing down instances of rash and negligent as well as under-age driving.
Apart from conducting awareness programmes in schools and colleges, the traffic police have also started cracking down on under-age driving. “Since October first week, over 700 cases have been booked against minors in and around the city,” said Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R. Hitendra said.
The Home Department, in a recent circular, had also directed police officers to book parents and vehicle owners under the Motor Vehicle Act if their children are caught driving cars or riding bikes without a licence. “Allowing minors to use vehicles endangers the lives of the people and is a serious concern for society,” said a police officer, adding they are also cracking down on mechanic shops where youth and minors modify their bikes and cars.
Recent cases
October 19: Girl, 7, killed when 18-year-old’s attempt to perform stunts on his bike goes awry
September 17: A teenager lost control of his bike on Hosur Road Elevated Expressway and rammed into the parapet
June 10: 16-year-old PU student was killed and two people were injured when their bike collided with the parapet of a bridge on NICE Road in Kengeri. The bike was borrowed from a neighbour
