Says Underage Driving Restrictions Tighten
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Nov 16 : In the wake of the tragic Tengpora accident, the Traffic Department in Srinagar issued a heartfelt reminder to parents about the importance of safeguarding their children. The department emphasized that children are the future of society and urged parents to prioritize their well-being to ensure a safer future.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, SSP Traffic Srinagar Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said that the department has become stricter regarding children’s driving as of yesterday. While other traffic violations will also be addressed, he stressed that parents and society must take greater responsibility by not allowing minors access to two-wheelers or four-wheelers. He pointed out that once children are outside, parents often lose control over their behavior.
He stated, “At our level, we will always be strict against traffic violators; however, until parents act responsibly, we cannot protect the future of our children. These are our own children, and parents need to take this seriously as well.”
The SSP also mentioned that there will be a firm stance against teenagers and minors who violate traffic laws.
Reacting to the tragic Tengpora accident that occurred on Thursday, resulting in the loss of two school students’ lives, SSP Shah remarked, “The vehicle involved in the incident had already been brought here twice; a fine had been issued once, and parents had received counseling. Unfortunately, despite this counseling and requests to parents, no changes occurred, which is very unfortunate.”
He added that the issue often begins at home when parents allow their teenage children to operate two-wheelers or four-wheelers, leading to tragic accidents. “Again, I urge parents to take care of their children and not give them access to drive. Please cooperate fully with the police so that together we can ensure a safer future for our children and make Srinagar a safer city.”
The tragic road mishap in Srinagar has highlighted society’s failure to prevent minors from driving and the alarming trend of youth engaging in dangerous stunt biking and racing.
Discussions have centered on the roles of traffic law enforcement, parental control, and the prohibition of minors from driving.
Meanwhile, Regional Transport Officer Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari stated on Friday that he will request the police to invoke Section 199A against parents for negligence.
Bukhari explained that Section 199A is a cognizable offense that cannot be compounded at his level, indicating that police must take action. He expressed confidence in the police’s ability to enforce Section 199A against negligent parents.
The RTO stated that underage driving is a societal problem that requires collective responsibility. “It is crucial for parents to understand the consequences of allowing minors to drive,” he emphasized.
Bukhari noted that his department has always been strict with violators but stressed that society must also adhere to the law. “One accident should be enough to awaken the entire community,” he said, highlighting that this is not the first incident involving unlicensed minors.
Pertinently, the transport department swung into action on Saturday, conducting drives against traffic violators in various parts of Kashmir.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Baramulla, Muazzam Ali, led a major crackdown on traffic violations in North Kashmir. This operation resulted in the blacklisting of dozens of vehicles and the imposition of fines on multiple offenders.
The official stated that a team from the transport department carried out an extensive drive across the region, inspecting hundreds of vehicles for compliance with traffic laws.
During the operation, several violations were detected, including 13 instances of riders not wearing helmets, 11 drivers not using seat belts, and one case of a driver using a mobile phone while driving. Additionally, five vehicles were found to be improperly parked. The team issued challans totaling Rs 26,500, targeting various offenses such as unauthorized parking and failure to comply with safety regulations.
Meanwhile, similar reports have been received from other parts of the region, where it has been reported that traffic violators have been dealt with strictly and fined accordingly.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
