;Court Calls for “No Vehicle” Policy in Schools
The Biz Reporter
SRINAGAR: In a landmark judgment aimed at curbing the rising menace of underage driving, a Srinagar court on Saturday sentenced a man to three years of simple imprisonment for allowing his minor son to drive a vehicle.
Observing that such actions pose a “serious threat to public safety,” Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic), Srinagar, Shabir Ahmad Malik, convicted the accused, Mushtaq Ahmad, under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The Sentence and Probation
Along with the three-year jail term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Ahmad. Additionally, the court ordered the cancellation of the vehicle’s registration for a period of twelve months.
However, noting that the violator had no prior convictions and the offense did not involve “moral turpitude,” the court granted probation. The convict was directed to execute a bond of Rs 2 lakh for maintaining peace and good behavior for a period of two years. The court stipulated that if the convict violates any condition of the bond during this period, he will undergo the proposed sentence, and the bond amount will be forfeited to the government.
“Producing Violators, Not Citizens”
The court made strong observations regarding parental responsibility. “It is important to realise that parents, guardians, or owners of vehicles are responsible for providing vehicles to their minor children,” the court stated.
In a stinging remark on the societal impact of underage driving, the Magistrate noted: “By allowing minors to drive, we are only producing violators and victims and not responsible citizens.
Grim Statistics
To highlight the gravity of the situation, the judgment cited alarming statistics regarding road safety. The court noted that approximately 8,10,913 lives were lost in India due to negligent driving and traffic violations over the last five years (2020-2024).
“These numbers are alarming, and it is high time that people take traffic laws very seriously,” the court observed, emphasizing that simple measures like wearing seat belts, helmets, and ignoring mobile phones while driving are essential habits, not mere formalities.
Directives for Schools and Police
The judgment extended beyond the individual case, calling for systemic changes in educational institutions. The court underscored the need to frame a “No Vehicle for Minors” policy in schools.
The court directed the copy of the judgment be sent to J&K’s Commissioner Secretary of School Education with a request to:
- Circulate the order to all government and private schools.
- Direct schools to educate students and guardians about these issues.
- Ensure principals and teachers do not allow minor students to drive vehicles to school.
Furthermore, the court directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Traffic J&K to conduct special drives specifically targeting minor violators to curb the practice.
