Education department cracks down on underage drivers in Kmr

Legal action threatened for non-compliance

SRINAGAR: In a decisive move to address the alarming rise in underage driving and its role in fatal road accidents, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a stern directive to schools and coaching centers across the region. According to the circular, the education department mandates strict measures to prevent minors from driving motor vehicles and emphasizes accountability among parents, educators, and administrators. The initiative aims to ensure public safety and promote a culture of responsible behavior among students, with severe penalties outlined for non-compliance.
It is a matter of grave concern that incidents of underage driving among students are on the rise, resulting in tragic road accidents and endangering public safety. In this regard, all schools (Government and Private Recognized) and coaching centers operating in the Kashmir Division are hereby placed under strict instructions to ensure that no student (minor) is allowed to attend the institution while driving any motor vehicle, including two-wheelers or four-wheelers, reads the circular issued by Directorate of School Education Kashmir.
As such, all the Heads of Institutions - Government & Private Recognized Schools and Administrators of registered coaching centers are placed under strict instructions to: Students arriving at schools or coaching centers using motor vehicles of any type must not be permitted entry under any circumstances, and their parents must be informed accordingly.
Parents and guardians must be informed about this directive and their responsibility to ensure compliance. Activate all Road Safety and School Safety Clubs in schools to raise awareness through IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities.
Organize awareness programs in collaboration with the Traffic Police to educate students and parents about the dangers of underage driving and the legal consequences as per the Motor Vehicles Act. Conduct Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) to educate parents and students on road safety, information on age restrictions, the consequences of underage driving, and the importance of parental control.
Highlight the risks to public safety posed by minors operating motor vehicles. Issues advisories to parents and guardians, emphasizing their legal accountability for allowing minors to drive and the serious consequences of non-compliance.
The above circular instructions shall be strictly adhered to by Heads of all Educational Institutions (Government/Private), and any dereliction shall invite appropriate legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act and other relevant laws. Furthermore, institutions found violating this directive will face withdrawal of recognition or cancellation of registration as per the applicable regulations, and stringent action will be initiated against the Heads of Institutions and staff. This Circular must be widely disseminated among staff, students, and parents for immediate and strict adherence.