news details |
|
|
| Keep Minors Away | | | The recent tragedy in Srinagar, where two teenage boys lost their lives and another was critically injured when an over speeding Thar vehicle they were driving collided with a parked tipper and smashed into a divider has evoked widespread concern in Jammu and Kashmir. This heartbreaking incident has catalyzed various stakeholders to take proactive measures to prevent such accidents in the future. Among these, the move by petrol pumps in Jammu to display posters declaring “no fuel for vehicles driven by minors” is commendable. Coupled with the Directorate of School Education directive prohibiting minor students from driving motor vehicles to school, these steps signify a collective effort to address a grave issue.
The problem of minors driving vehicles is not new. Across India, this issue persists due to lax enforcement of traffic laws and societal leniency toward underage driving. In Jammu and Kashmir, the situation is exacerbated by the increasing number of high-performance vehicles among families and a culture that often celebrates early driving. The consequences, however, are dire: accidents involving minors not only claim young lives but also jeopardize the safety of others on the road. The incident in Srinagar has served as a grim reminder of these consequences. It has underscored the urgent need for stringent measures to keep minors away from the vehicles. The petrol pumps’ initiative, while symbolic, sends a strong message to the public that underage driving is neither acceptable nor condoned.
Schools have a pivotal role in shaping young minds and must take an active stance against underage driving. By ensuring that students adhere to this directive, schools can instill a sense of responsibility and respect for traffic laws among children. Parents, too, play an indispensable role in curbing this menace. The responsibility begins at home, where parents must set clear boundaries regarding driving. Allowing minors to drive vehicles, whether out of convenience or indulgence, not only endangers their lives but also sends a message that rules are flexible. The law enforcing agencies have a major role to play. Regular checks, penalties for parents of underage drivers, and the confiscation of vehicles used by minors could act as effective deterrents. These campaigns should target not just minors but also parents, highlighting the legal and moral implications of underage driving. The message must be unequivocal: driving is a privilege that comes with responsibility, not a right conferred by age or status. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
