The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has warned parents against allowing minors to drive, with violations under the Motor Vehicles Act attracting a three-year jail term, a Rs 25,000 fine, and the cancellation of vehicle registration for a year. The minors themselves will attract a driving ban till they turn 25.
The advisory aims to address the alarming rise in road accidents involving underage drivers. The urgency of this measure was highlighted by a tragic accident at Tengpora in Srinagar, where two 17-year-old boys lost their lives while driving an SUV.
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The accident occurred when they lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a stationary truck before hitting a divider. The teenagers, Hamaad and Aseem, were killed on the spot, while two other passengers sustained injuries, one critically. The incident, captured on CCTV and widely circulated on social media, sparked grief and outrage, renewing calls to ban underage driving.
The advisory from the Transport Commissioner holds parents or guardians accountable, presuming their consent unless proven otherwise. Schools and traffic authorities have also been urged to collaborate with parents to prevent minors from accessing vehicles. The Tengpora accident serves as a grim reminder of these dangers.
The loss of two young lives has devastated families and prompted widespread demands for stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Public figures and officials voiced their concerns.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed sorrow over the accident, urging adherence to traffic rules and better road sense. "Speed thrills but it kills," he said.
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Muzaffar Shah, the SSP Traffic of Srinagar, pointed to parental responsibility, questioning how minors gained access to vehicles. He stressed that joint efforts by parents, schools, and traffic authorities are necessary to prevent such tragedies.
The accident has drawn widespread criticism for lax enforcement of traffic laws. Social media users have called for stricter penalties, including arresting parents of minors caught driving. Civil society members have appealed to parents to exercise caution and prevent teenagers from driving before they are legally eligible and adequately trained.