Underage driving menace: 15 caught

GHAZIABAD: As many as 15 minors were penalized in the past five days in police action against underage driving on city roads. The effort was launched by the traffic department on May 15, after several instances of rash and negligent driving by minors were reported in Ghaziabad.

Traffic cops said the main focus of their programme would be to curb autos being driven by the underaged. “We undertook this programme after traffic cops reported they had caught kids as young as 12-14, ferrying passengers in autos across the city. The kids are not even aware of traffic laws,” said Amar Singh, SP (traffic), Ghaziabad.

According to officials, auto owners hand over the vehicle to minors as they have to pay less. “Necessary action will also be taken against the auto owners. In the past, accidents have also been reported by minors driving private vehicles, which will also be under the scanner,” Singh added.

Cops patrolling district highways – NH 24 and NH 58 – have regularly reported noticing youngsters at the wheels of three-seater and seven-seater autos. Cops are relying on valid driving licenses to determine whether the apprehended youngsters are minors. Officials said offenders are punishable under Section 4/181 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.