Hyderabad: Minor drivers a threat to public

Hyderabad: Indulgent parents and guardians who make the mistake of allowing their kids to take their vehicles for a ‘spin,’ are endangering lives of other drivers, commuters and pedestrians as well.

Parents who overlook the perilous consequences of permitting these ‘joyrides’ by underage drivers, often end up bitterly regretting their decision. In a split second, this can alter the course of numerous lives, including the child’s. It’s a parent’s job to be vigilant and educate their children about the dangers of underage driving.

Instead of restraining their kids and warning them of the dangers, parents are encouraging them by buying them flashy bikes or cars. It’s the responsibility of the parents to keep the vehicle keys away from  their children, to keep the vehicle locked, and, if possible, hide the keys from them. If the parents do not let their children ride a vehicle, they won’t.

In case of an accident, the parent or guardian is to be blamed. Parents who sit behind or beside their underage children while they are driving, are also doing the wrong thing. They are abetting a misdemeanor by being the ‘pillion’ while the minor is driving.

“Even parents are not trained properly, according to the rules and regulations enforced by the police, which is multiplying the risk factor,” feels Ahsan Pasha, a road safety activist.

The Hyderabad police is conducting counselling sessions to control this deadly trend. They summon the parents along with the kids to brief them about the rules and regulations and also make them aware of the risks of this kind of driving, not only to their kids but also to the others on the road.