Traffic police step up vigil to curb underage driving, illegal bike racing

Senior police official warns youth against rash and irresponsible driving

The Greater Chennai Traffic Police have chalked out a detailed plan, combining counselling and enforcement, to curb underage driving in the city, especially since the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

In an interview with The Hindu, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Kapil Kumar C. Saratkar, appealed to those aged below 18 not to drive vehicles as it was illegal and unsafe.

“Underage driving is a serious concern and with the reopening of schools and (resumption of in-person) coaching classes, it is going to be a new challenge for the Greater Chennai Traffic Police. We recently launched a drive against underage driving. In the last three months, 2,250 cases have been registered. Cases are booked against the owner of the vehicle and the parent concerned under appropriate sections of Motor Vehicles Act” said Mr. Kapil Kumar.

Explaining steps taken to prevent illegal bike racing on the roads, the Additional Commissioner said illegal bike racing, wheeling, modifying the two-wheelers and driving misadventures were serious offences. The guilty persons were being booked under Section 308 of the Indian Penal Code. Their vehicles were seized and the accused remanded, he said.

“Recently, in two cases, we seized nine vehicles and remanded 13 people for wheeling and bike racing on Kamarajar Salai and Rajaji Salai. I warn the youth against rash and irresponsible acts. I call upon the parents to be aware of the driving habits of their children,” said Mr. Kapil Kumar.

Stating that COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted and the vehicular and pedestrian movements on the roads had been increasing, he said road traffic rules were being strictly enforced.