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| Underage Driving | | |
The heartbreaking accident in Srinagar, where two school-going boys lost their lives and two others were injured after their car rammed into a stationary truck before hitting a divider, has shaken the community.
This tragedy is a stark call for collective accountability in addressing the rising menace of underage driving in Kashmir.
Underage driving has become a growing concern in the region, with frequent reports of young boys maneuvering powerful vehicles on busy roads.
The allure of speed and a lack of awareness about traffic regulations often lead to fatal outcomes. While the loss of two young lives is a tragedy beyond measure, it also serves as an opportunity for introspection—what can we do as a society to prevent such incidents?
One of the most glaring contributors to underage driving is parental negligence. Many parents, either out of affection or indifference, provide access to vehicles to children who are neither mentally mature nor legally permitted to drive.
A four-wheeler or two-wheeler in the hands of an inexperienced teenager is a recipe for disaster. The responsibility of ensuring that minors do not drive lies squarely on the shoulders of parents. It is imperative for families to prioritize safety over fleeting desires, understanding that one act of carelessness can lead to irrevocable loss.
Educating parents about the potential dangers of underage driving is vital. Community leaders, schools, and authorities must collaborate to launch awareness campaigns targeting parents, emphasizing the legal and moral consequences of allowing minors to drive.
The incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of traffic rules. While the Motor Vehicles Act already prohibits underage driving, lax enforcement often allows the rule to be flouted. Traffic Police must adopt a zero-tolerance policy against underage drivers, penalizing not only the offenders but also the parents or guardians responsible for providing access to vehicles.
Regular checks, particularly near schools and tuition centers, can act as a deterrent. Moreover, technology can play a pivotal role. Installing surveillance cameras to monitor traffic violations and using advanced data analytics to track habitual offenders can help curb this menace.
Schools can play a pivotal role by integrating road safety education into their curriculum, making children aware of the consequences of irresponsible driving. Peer influence, often a significant factor in adolescent behavior, must be redirected towards promoting responsible attitudes on the road.
The pain of losing young lives is immeasurable, but by working together, we can prevent such tragedies in the future, ensuring that our roads are safer and that no family has to endure such unbearable grief again. |
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