BENGALURU: The number of parents booked for traffic violations committed by underage drivers in the city has increased, shows Bengaluru Traffic Police records.
Police officials said a majority of cases booked were for driving without licence, riding without a helmet, violating traffic signals and riding on footpaths.
Till November 2016, as many as 1,438 cases were booked and `7.18 lakh was collected in fines.
According to a police official, most cases were booked against two-wheeler riders.
“A majority of cases have been booked against two-wheeler riders who violated rules while driving vehicles of friends or family members. Insurance cannot be claimed in these cases as the rider does not possess driving licence which violates the Insurance Act,” said a police official.
According to a police officer, those held for under-age driving are fined up to `2,000 or are booked under Section 279 of Indian Penal Code and produced before court.
Traffic police worried
The rise in number of accidents involving youngsters (19-30 years) has left traffic police officials worried. They have now decided to intensify awareness campaigns for youngsters and to take stringent action against youngsters who violate traffic rules.
According to traffic police officials, a majority of youngsters, inlcuding underage drivers, have been booked for free wheeling, defective silencer, reckless driving, and riding triples.
“It is not because of the lack of awareness. Our youngsters are highly indisciplined,” says traffic expert M N Sreehari. He added that shortage of traffic police personnel is also a concern.