A Much Needed Step: 4 Fathers Jailed By Hyderabad Police For Allowing Their Kids To Drive

Four parents of minors were awarded a day of imprisonment by the Hyderabad Traffic Police for allowing their wards to drive. The decision comes after increasing instances of accidents caused by minors driving. The Hyderabad Traffic Police have urged the court to allow imprisonment of parents of such minors. They have also asked the courts to send the youngsters to juveniles home if required. The court has decided to send repeated offenders to the Juvenile Home.

Increase in accidents involving minors

The fathers of the four minors were sent behind the bars for one day and the minors were sent home after depositing a fine. The four minors were not involved in any accident, but a senior official told Telangana Today that same or even tougher punishment will be given to those involved in an accident as well.

This step is taken by the Hyderabad Traffic Police after observing the increasing number of accidents caused by underage drivers. Earlier this month, on February 4, a 12-year-old fell down the vehicle ridden by a 14-year-old driver and was crushed by a lorry. Another incident on February 9, involved three Class-X students out of which two were killed and one suffered injuries after the vehicle they were riding skidded off the road.

According to reports, cops catch on an average 25 underage drivers a day, driving without a license. Last year, about 130 road accident victims were minors.

Talking to Deccan Chronicle DCP Traffic, A V Ranganathan said,”We have been charge-sheeting those less than 18 years of age and their parents along with the owner of the vehicle for Minor Driving. The courts have been awarding imprisonment to the parents in recent days. Minor driving has become rampant in the city.We are concentrating on the parents because it is their mistake for allowing their kids to drive. It’s high time we start blaming parents because minors have no right to kill others on the roads.”

He said that although repeated offenders will be sent to the juvenile home, their parents will also face punishment in form of imprisonment.

Provision in Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to fine and jail parents of underage drivers

The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill, 2016 cleared in August 2016, had the provision to award parents of minors who are found driving an imprisonment of three years and a fine of Rs 25,000.

Nitin Gadkari had called this move “the single biggest reform” in the direction of road safety.