Traffic cops struggle to rein Capital’s teen speed demons

In the year 2014 between January and September, around 158 juveniles were <g data-gr-id="30">challaned</g> for reckless driving, <g data-gr-id="38">while</g> in 2015, 1,501 juveniles have been booked till September 30. The figure clearly indicates that minor drivers are responsible for the increase in the number of fatal road accidents, according to the data released by the Delhi Traffic Police.

Circulars issued to the school authorities have had no effect as parents fail to keep a check on their children. A 16-year-old girl lost her life in South Delhi’s Vasant Vihar when she went out on a drive with her friend. During <g data-gr-id="33">investigation</g>, it was found that the minor driver’s parents were not even <g data-gr-id="34">aware about</g> her taking out the car at midnight. Their car had rammed into a road divider causing the fatality.

In the month of July, a minor boy rammed into a vehicle in West Delhi’s Ranhola area leaving one dead and a 15-year-old boy severely injured, which led to an uproar in the area.

In yet another accident involving a minor driver in the month of March this year, a 16-year-old girl lost her life at South Delhi’s Vasant Vihar. The driver, a minor too however escaped with minor injuries.

Similarly, on October 1 this year, a 17-year-old boy ran over two children and severely injured four men in East Delhi’s Ganesh Nagar when he took away his father’s taxi for a spin. The boy had lost control over the vehicle soon after he took it out of the garage and rammed it into a food stall.

“We can only issue challans to minor drivers on charges of violating the traffic norms that too in the presence of their guardian. 

“As per the provision of the law, the juveniles cannot be arrested. 

“Extensive drives have been carried out in the last six months to curb the <g data-gr-id="32">menace</g> but it is the responsibility of the parents to make sure that children below 18 years of age are not given cars. Workshops have been conducted various prominent schools across Delhi to impart discipline,” said Special Commissioner (Traffic) Muktesh Chander.

“Minor drivers, who flout the traffic norms, can only be restrained if the school authorities and the parents come together.” he added.