Your parents could be jailed!

Underage driving

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 6: Parents of underage drivers need to know the fact that accidents on the part of their wards may land them (parents) in jail as they are well aware of the fact that their wards are on the wrong side of the law.

Following Hyderabad’s example, the State Transport Department is contemplating on introducing a law that can ensure punishment for parents, including jail terms, in the event of their underage wards violating traffic rules. In March and April this year, as many as 20 parents had to land in jail in Hyderabad for their underage children violating traffic rules.

According to State Transport Commissioner-Secretary Ashutosh Agnihotri, the department has taken the matter of violation of traffic rules by underage drivers seriously. “We need to adopt the Hyderabad model in Assam,” Agnihotri said.

A State Transport Department employee said: “Even for riding gearless two-wheelers, a person needs to attain 16 years of age. However, children below 16 years of age are seen to ride gearless two-wheelers in Assam. Even they are seen to drive four-wheelers. How come such incidents occur when their parents are well aware of the fact that their wards are on the wrong side of the law? In the event of accidents, the department has to face the ire of the public. It will be a good sign in Assam if the Hyderabad model is followed here. If it can be adopted in Hyderabad, it can also introduced in Assam, if need be, by bringing an amendment to the existing Motor Vehicle Act.”