The increasing number of underage drivers on the city roads hints at a dangerous trend. Hyderabad traffic police personnel revealed that around 841 cases had been booked against underage drivers in the last 24 days under the limits of 25 police stations.
According to P.V.S. Rama Krishna, the deputy commissioner of police (traffic 1), the number of minor drivers on the road is on the rise.
“When teenagers pass Class X or Inter exams, parents buy them a bike or a car as an incentive. Hence, creating awareness among the parents about the issue is more important,” he said.
Most of the underage drivers repeat the violation since the fine amount for driving without licence is marginal. “Since the fine amount for underage driving is just Rs 300, most of the minors, who hail from wealthy families, do not feel the pinch. They often repeat the violations,” said a traffic cop.
However, DCP (traffic 2) Mukesh Kumar Singh said if a minor is caught driving a vehicle, the owner of the vehicle can be fined an amount of Rs 1,000. “If an underage driver causes any accident, he can be booked under IPC 304 A or IPC 337, and can be sent to juvenile home,” he said.
In the 841 cases, while 809 cases were booked against underage two-wheeler riders, 32 were booked against the minors driving four wheelers.
Mr Singh said the traffic police had already started cracking down on the underage drivers and counsel them. “We also have been conducting awareness programmes in various schools. We see to it the parents are educated about the traffic rules and regulations,” he said.