THOOTHUKUDI: Students under the age of 18 years must prefer cycles instead of riding bikes without a licence, said district collector Dr K Senthil Raj during a road safety club meeting conducted by the Road Transport Office at St Mary's Boys Higher Secondary School on Thursday. Thoothukudi Corporation mayor NP Jegan Periyasamy presided over. Â
Speaking on the occasion, the collector urged the students to keep up the road safety norms to ensure a safe journey. "Driving without a helmet and seat belt are serious violations. One can give up life in war for a country, or for research purposes, or either for goodwill, but never on roads," Senthil Raj added.
"Those who have completed 18 years of age can get a driving license, but riding bikes without a license may put students in trouble. A case registered for a traffic violation can even affect career and jobs in the government and private sectors," he warned.
Stating that the defaulters would not get a license until the age of 25 and that their parents would get a penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh, he further advised the students that causing a fatal accident may also lead underage students to imprisonment for three years. So students under 18 years of age shall choose to ride a cycle for commuting, he advised.
Addressing the session, mayor Jegan Periyasamy said that rash driving by underage students is a major concern. "Life is precious, and anything untoward to life cannot be accepted by parents, so students must not ride bikes before obtaining a license, he said.
Regional transport officer Vinayagam, traffic inspector Mayilerum Perumal, St Mary's boy's higher secondary school headmaster Father Maria Joseph Anthony, and others were present.