Parents Warned Against Letting Minors Drive Vehicles

quick Summary:

• Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patel announced stricter actions against vehicle owners who allow minors to drive their vehicles illegally.
• Minors engaging in over-speeding or unsafe driving practices will be penalized, with progressive punishments including fines and potential judicial remand for parents if offenses persist.
• Initial offenses will involve counseling sessions with parents; repeat offenses invoke a fine of ₹5,000 and eventual legal consequences.
• Punitive measures also extend to over-speeding, using mobile phones while driving, performing stunts, or causing public nuisance (e.g., removing silencers).
• From January to June (past six months), 171 cases were filed against minors for traffic violations, collecting fines amounting to ₹91,485.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The decision by SP Vikrant Patel reflects an attempt to curb reckless driving among minors and enforce accountability among vehicle owners and guardians. By instituting a tiered penalty system-starting from counseling and escalating to criminal charges-the policy demonstrates both preventive and corrective approaches. The significant number of cases registered in the past six months indicates rising concerns about juvenile traffic behavior.

This initiative could contribute positively towards improving road safety but must be accompanied by public awareness programs on responsible vehicular use for enduring impact. While strict enforcement may deter violations temporarily, long-term solutions would benefit from greater collaboration between law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders focusing on cultivating safer driving habits across all age groups.

Read more: Published – July 11, 2025