The Transport Department of Jammu and Kashmir issued an advisory to parents and guardians to restrict their underage children from driving two-wheelers and four-wheelers. It reiterated that the parents of such drivers could face up to 3 years imprisonment and/or ₹25,000 in fines.
The tragic accident in the Tengpora area which claimed the lives of two children highlighted a steep rise in road mishaps in the Union territory. In 2024, J&K recorded 2,864 accidents, resulting in 417 deaths & 3,894 injuries. Srinagar alone reported 255 road accidents in 2024.
Rash driving involving young children in Srinagar has become a headache for most people, as they are often involved in reckless driving, which has already cost a lot of lives in Kashmir over the past few years.
The advisory draws attention to Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which specifies strict penalties for parents or guardians of minors involved in driving offences.
According to the act, if an offence is committed by an underage child, the parents or guardians of the child will be held liable for the crime unless and until they prove that they had exercised due diligence in preventing the offence.
Under Section 199A (2), guardians or owners may face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of Rs. 25,000.
Additionally, the registration of the vehicle involved in the offence could be cancelled for twelve months.
If a minor is involved in such an offence, they will also be disqualified from obtaining a driving license until they reach the age of eighteen.
Transport Commissioner Rajinder Singh Tara, who signed the advisory, highlighted that it is issued in the interest of public safety.
He requested parents and guardians to prevent their children from driving to ensure that they along with others remain safe, as these teenagers pose significant risks to the general public.
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