Hyderabad: Underage driving cases on the rise

Hyderabad: Minors violating driving rules have become a major issue in the city. Since last year, the number of underage driving cases increased from 2,755 to 3,387 till date in the the Hyderabad region. On a daily basis, about 20-25 cases are registered within the Hyderabad limit. 

Mr Narsing Rao, traffic inspector, said that there has been an increase in the number of cases due to strict enforcement of the law by the traffic police. 

According to statistics, the average age of violators is between 15 and 16 years. If caught, the minor is sent for counselling at traffic institutes at Begumpet and Goshamahal. 

After the counselling, the minor is charged '1,500 penalty. The minor has to come with their parents for counselling which starts from 10 am.

“Sometimes the parents say that they sent the boy/girl to buy something from a nearby shop. Some parents also say that the boy/girl does not listen to them,” Mr Rao added.

About 1,048 cases of underage driving were recorded within the Cyberabad limit in 2014. The number stood at 1,636 in 2015 and 975 in 2016. In the first nine months of this year, the Cyberabad traffic police recorded 800 cases.

Mr  T. Srinivas Reddy, SHO, Jubille Hills, said, “Underage driving has decreased from 25 in 2016 to 16 in 2017 due to the counselling.”

“From 3 pm to 4 pm, under-age bike riders hit the road after the classes,” said Hanumanthu Dasari of the Jubilee Hills police station.