Campaign launched against underage driving

Court seeks action against parents, guardians permitting minors to ply the roads

KARACHI:

Acting on directives issued by the Sindh High Court, the traffic police has launched a campaign against underage drivers and their guardians.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, underage children driving cars, motorcycles or rickshaws will be penalised and their vehicles will be confiscated. Such vehicles will only be released after the payment of a fine and scrutiny of registration papers, CNIC, driving licence and other required documents. Moreover, the guardians, parents or owners of said vehicles would be required to submit an affidavit confirming that the child would not be allowed to ply the roads.

If a minor is caught violating the agreement, the vehicle will be kept in custody for an indefinite time, specified the traffic police, urging people to not permit their young children on the roads and risk fatal accidents.

Hearing bail applications submitted by two underage drivers, accused of killing Fayaz Bahadur, 18, in rash motorcycle riding case, the Sindh High Court had directed the Sindh IGP and traffic DIG to take sufficient measures to end motorcycle-racing, the use of motorcycles by teenagers and underage driving in the city. According to the prosecution, the petitioners, Umer and Kashiyan, crashed into their friend, Fayaz's motorcycle, killing him on Sharae Faisal on April 12.

In its remarks, a single-bench comprising Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar stated that action should be taken against parents and guardians who allow underage children to ply the city's busy roads.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2021.