Most minors caught in underage driving in this state, paid challan of Rs 44 lakh

In India, car keys are handed to children with love and affection. Subsequently, they are made to deal with the consequences. According to the Indian Motor Vehicle Act, it is illegal for anyone below the age of 18 to drive a vehicle. Effects of negligence on the part of parents are that cases of accidents caused by underage driving are on the increase in the country. According to the Ministry of Road Transport, in the past two years, there were 1,497 e-challans in which the total amount of fine was in excess of Rs 48 lakh.

According to the data shared by the ministry in the Rajya Sabha, Bihar had the highest number of challans issued for underage driving at 1,316, where a total fine of Rs 44.3 lakh was imposed. This was followed by Jammu and Kashmir with a fine of Rs 1.4 lakh and Chhattisgarh with a fine of Rs 1.3 lakh. In Uttarakhand, 22 challans were fined more than Rs 1 lakh, while in Uttar Pradesh only one challan was fined Rs 23,150.

According to the new rules of the Ministry of Road Transport, if a minor is caught driving a vehicle, then his parents or guardians can be fined up to Rs 25,000. Not only this, if an accident occurs while driving by a minor, the parents can also be jailed. Recently, in the Pune Porsche accident case, the minor's father was taken into custody by the police, which makes it clear that now this rule is being strictly implemented.

According to experts, minors do not have proper driving experience, which increases the risk of road accidents manifold. Many parents, out of emotion, allow their children to drive, which can prove to be legally wrong and fatal.