The Uttar Pradesh government is taking a stringent stance on curbing accidents caused by minors by enforcing a three-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 on parents or vehicle owners who permit underage driving. Following directives from Transport Commissioner Chandrabhushan Singh, an awareness campaign has been initiated in government secondary schools in collaboration with the Transport Department, emphasizing road safety through various mediums.
State Secondary Education Director Mahendra Dev, in a letter to all district school inspectors, highlighted the transport commissioner's order dated December 27. The letter conveyed the commissioner's instructions to divisional transport officers and assistant divisional officers to prevent accidents resulting from minors driving vehicles.
Under Section 199 (A) of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019, the letter outlined that in motor vehicle-related offenses committed by juveniles, only their guardian or the vehicle owner would be held accountable. The prescribed punishment includes a three-year imprisonment and a Rs 25,000 fine. Transport Department sources indicate stricter enforcement of this provision.
The transport commissioner, in correspondence with transport officials, acknowledged Shuchita Chaturvedi from the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who had raised concerns on December 15 about accidents involving vehicles driven by individuals below 18 years old. Experts from King George's Medical University and the Lohia Institute in Lucknow revealed that 40% of road accident fatalities involve minors.
Chaturvedi, in a letter to the Transport Department, urged strict adherence to the law prohibiting driving by children below 18 and advocated for awareness campaigns in all educational institutions.
