Case registered against a minor, his father for Motor Vehicles Act violation in Puducherry

The Puducherry Traffic Police have registered a case against a 17-year-old boy and his father after a motorcycle ridden by the minor collided with another bike, resulting in injuries to three persons.

The accident occurred two days ago on Villianur - Kombakkam Main Road near Villianur. The minor was allegedly riding a motorcycle in a rash and negligent manner and collided with another motorcycle, resulting in injuries to the rider, pillion rider and a child.

“In connection with the incident, a case was registered at Traffic Police Station (East) against the minor rider and subsequently against the minor’s parent for allegedly permitting the minor to ride the vehicle. The case is under investigation,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Law and Order, Divya said in a release.

She said despite conducting road safety awareness programmes and putting in place strict enforcement measures, it has been observed that some parents and vehicle owners are allowing minors to drive motor vehicles, endangering not only the lives of the juveniles themselves but also those of other road users.

Driving of motor vehicles by minors was a serious violation under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. A person below 18 years of age is generally not legally permitted to drive a motor vehicle, subject to the specific statutory exception applicable to certain motor vehicles.

Where a juvenile commits an offence involving a motor vehicle, the parent or vehicle owner may be held liable in accordance with law, with punishment including a fine of up to ₹25,000 and imprisonment for up to three years, subject to the applicable statutory provisions, the release said.

Further, the minor who was found guilty will be dealt under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, as applicable. The juvenile will be ineligible to obtain a driving licence until attainting 25 years of age, subject to the provisions of law. The registration of the vehicle involved in the offence will be liable for cancellation for a period of 12 months, as prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act, she said in the release.

The SSP requested heads of schools and coaching institutions to sensitise students to the legal consequences and dangers involved in underage driving.