Friday, 07 April 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Police will file chargesheet against parents if underage students are found to be driving in Dehradun. This initiative has been taken by traffic police as part of their campaign Operation Morning Storm to act against traffic violations committed by minors. The traffic police on Thursday impounded two-wheelers in Balbir Road, Race Course chowk and Shimla Bypass areas operated by 20 underage students going to school in the morning.
The police also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on each vehicle for the violation of rules under the Motor Vehicles act. The superintendent of police, traffic, Akshay Konde said that the campaign was started about two months ago after the authorities observed a considerable increase in traffic violations by underage students in the Dehradun city, especially in the morning and afternoon. Traffic police also sent 400 letters to various schools and pasted pamphlets inside and outside the school premises to raise awareness among students and parents about laws for underage driving. He said that under section 199A of the MV Act, the guardian or owner of the motor vehicle operated by the minor, can be imprisoned for up to three years and penalised with a fine of Rs 25,000. He said that if found guilty, the minor would not be able to get a driving license before the age of 25 years under this act.
The authorities have observed nearly 90 per cent decline in such activities by students since the commencement of the campaign, said Konde. He said that there are still many parents who allow their underage children to drive which is against the rules. Considering this, the police will now file a chargesheet against parents if a minor is found to be driving, said Konde.
