J&K Transport Dept issues stern warning to parents against allowing minors to drive

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has issued a stern warning to parents against allowing minors to drive and violation could result in a three-year jail term, a fine of Rs 25,000, and a one-year suspension of the vehicle's registration.
Additionally, minors caught driving will face a ban on obtaining a driving license until they turn 25.
The advisory was issued after a deadly accident left two school going children dead. The tragic accident occurred on Saturday when a speeding Mahindra Thar collided with a stationary truck in Batamaloo's Tengpora area, leaving two 17-year-old boys, Hamaad and Aseem killed on spot and two others injured.
The advisory by the Transport Department Jammu & Kashmir has asked the parents against allowing their minor, underage children to drive two-wheelers or four-wheelers.
"This move on their part not only puts the lives of their minor children at risk but also poses a threat to the pedestrians as well as to other commuters. This is a serious offence, which can attract punitive action against the offenders," the advisory issued by the Transport Commissioner, Rajinder Singh Tara said.
It said that under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the guardian of juvenile or the owner of the motor vehicle shall be deemed to be guilty of the contravention and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
"In addition to the penalty under sub-section (1), such guardian or owner shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with a fine of twenty-five thousand rupees. The provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) shall not apply to such guardian or owner if the juvenile committing the offence had been granted a learner's licence under section 8 or a driving licence and was operating a motor vehicle which such juvenile was licensed to operate,' the advisory said.
Besides, the registration of the motor vehicle used in the commission of the offence shall be cancelled for a period of twelve months.
As per the advisory, the juvenile shall not be eligible to be granted a driving licence under section 9 or a learner's licence under section 8 until such juvenile has attained the age of twenty- five years.
The advisory has requested parents of minors to desist from allowing children to drive vehicles.