A motorbike whizzes past scores of vehicles on a busy stretch in Sathuvachari. Its occupants look visibly younger than the legally permitted age to drive a motorbike that is 18 years. They are just an instance of how underage drivers are on the rise in the Fort City, with no concern for safety or for traffic rules and regulations.
Underage driving has become a common sight in many parts of the city, particularly in residential areas. In a number of instances, parents allow their children to ride the motorbike with them in the pillion. A number of children travel on motorbikes with friends and also go for tuitions and shops in two-wheelers.
While there is an urgent need to check underage driving, police pinpoint that there are many practical difficulties in controlling them, and transport officials say they continue to create awareness among school children to keep them away from riding motorbikes.
Around 10 days ago, police stopped an underage driver and called his father to the spot. However, they had to let him off with a warning as the father pleaded.
In another instance, they had imposed a spot fine of ₹1,100 for an underage driver for over speeding and disobeying traffic rules on Anna Salai.
Traffic police said they were giving a lot of importance to check the menace, but it was not an easy task. “We have to think twice before stopping a speeding motorist. What if he falls down? We have to be very cautious in handling them,” he said.
Another policemansaid there were many practical difficulties in curbing this practice.
“We have to make them slow down by putting barricades but our roads are not designed in such a way. In some instances, they speed up on seeing police. Nevertheless, we manage to stop one or two underage drivers. We have to actually book their parents and impose a fine of ₹1,000 but we have to handle such cases sensitively as it involves children,” he said.
A traffic police officer said parents get their children expensive and high-powered bikes but do not teach them when to use the motorbike, how to ride safely by wearing a helmet.
P. Pakalavan, superintendent of police, Vellore, said checks on whether motorists possess driving licenses are conducted regularly. “There is a clear instruction to book parents if police come across underage drivers during regular checks,” he said.
On its part, the Regional Transport Office has been creating awareness to prevent underage driving. “Children aged above 16 years can obtain licenses to ride motorbikes with an engine power of less than 50cc. There is a government order that says that FIR can be registered on parents, who allow their children to ride vehicles without licences,” an officer said.
They have been reaching out to schools advising them not to allow children ride bikes to schools. “We are conducting regular campaigns too. Recently, we held a meeting with correspondents of schools too,” he added.
Nevertheless, an official said the onus is on parents. “When they consider their children precious, they should not allow them to drive vehicles before they turn 18 years,” he said.
Underage drivers cause a concern road to safety A road to recklessness throwing caution to the wind posing risk to their lives and others
