It looks like the long-standing warning of ‘behave or the police would come get you’ has been shifted over to parents now. In a commendable move, the Bangalore police have decided to clamp down on underage motorists by seizing their guardians’ Driver’s License, RC documents and vehicle. Minors caught riding two- or four-wheelers would get their parents arrested. Keeping the safety of pedestrians in mind, the campaign has already been in action, as at least 30 such cases lay filed within the last few days.
According to the law, minors cannot be booked and parents who would get booked used to get away paying fines. With effect from now, FIRs shall be filed against them under Indian Motor Vehicle Act section 184 and others, as per which parents can be sent to jail for six months or fined up to Rs 1,000, or both.
Under-aged drivers tend to cause more non-fatal accidents and run the risk of greater injury to themselves, compounded by the fact many of them do not wear helmets either. Police reports state minors tend to gather late at night and perform stunts or race, raising the need for stringent discipline. We applaud the Karnataka High Court for taking such a progressive step and hope other states follow suit.
Image: telegraphindia
