Puducherry police crackdown on minors riding two-wheelers

Puducherry police crack down on minors riding two-wheelers, issuing warnings and educating parents on legal consequences.

The Puducherry police have launched a drive against minors riding two-wheelers following the recent fatal accident involving two underage motorists in Puducherry.

During a joint drive against the offence by the Law and Order and Traffic wings of the territorial police on Monday (January 20, 2025) evening, the police intercepted 23 two-wheelers driven by minors in various police station limits.

The intercepted vehicles were taken to the police stations and thereafter parents of children found riding the two-wheelers were summoned to the respective police stations. The parents were informed about the illegality involved in driving/riding motor vehicle without license in the country. 

The police briefed the parents about the legal provisions of Motor Vehicle Act, penal actions under law and the onus of the parents in case of minors found using vehicle and the repercussions of accidents involving underage riders/drivers. All the parents were advised to refrain from allowing their children driving such vehicles to avoid penal actions, spot fine of ₹25,000 and suspension of license for a year.

Police said provisions of imposing fine and suspension of license would be invoked in case of second time offenders. “The 23 two-wheelers intercepted on Monday were released after their parents were issued a warning. We have collected their details and if caught for second time for the same offence their license will be suspended,” said a traffic police officer.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Praveen Kumar Tripathi, said parents should prevent their minor wards from driving vehicle. The Traffic police would coordinate with local police stations to conduct regular drive to prevent riding of two-wheeler by minors. Such drives will be conducted in rural areas also, he said.

As part of enforcing helmet rule in the Union Territory, police continued to hold awareness programmes in workplaces and educational institutions. A programme was held at Bharathidasan Government Women’s College to create awareness on road safety. “The principal of the college has agreed to issue a circular making compulsory for the students to wear helmet while riding two-wheeler to the institution,” Mr Tripathi said.