Wednesday, 29 November 2023 | MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
Various factors like the desire for status, lenient parenting and poor time management are contributing to the rising number of road accidents involving minors in the city. Experts state that parents are also responsible for these accidents. Over the past few years, the rate of accidents involving minors in the city has increased by an average of 40 per cent. To prevent such incidents, it is crucial to promote awareness on traffic rules, particularly at the school level, said the experts.
Talking to The Pioneer, clinical psychologist Mukul Sharma said, “With the passage of time, there has been an average increase of 40 per cent in the rate of accidents involving minors in the city. The factors contributing to this rise include improper time management and inadequate parenting. It is important to note that children primarily learn from their parents, so when parents disregard traffic rules, their children are likely to repeat the same actions, ultimately leading to road accidents. Additionally, psychological issues such as depression, fear and anxiety are commonly associated with road accidents involving minors.”
He further added that to address this issue, it is recommended that the traffic police organise school-level programmes to educate students about traffic rules and safe driving practices. Further, the police should also provide counselling sessions to parents who indirectly contribute to these cases, he added.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr BKS Sanjay said that he has encountered several accidents involving minors in the city. He emphasised that parents are the main cause behind the increasing number of such accidents. Parents themselves give their children the keys to two-wheelers at a very young age in order to lessen their own burden. Additionally, over time, the number of fatalities in road accidents has increased due to overspeeding and reckless overtaking. Hormonal changes, age factors and fear are the main reasons for minors driving two-wheelers and committing violations that ultimately result in accidents. He stressed on the importance of organising road awareness programmes, specifically targeting parents in order to control such cases.
