Chamarajanagar police crack down on underage driving

Mysuru: Chamarajanagar police have intensified the drive against underage driving, especially near schools and educational institutions. In Jan alone, 74 cases were booked, with parents being summoned and warned of penalties of up to Rs 25,000 and possible jail terms. The drive is being carried out across the district.
Police have let off minors for their first offence of underage driving, but book cases against parents of minors for the second offence. Police intensified the drive as part of road safety measures following an increase in complaints against minors riding two-wheelers to schools and educational institutions.
According to police, they booked 14 cases of minors riding two-wheelers in Chamarajanagar Town police station limits, six in Chamarajanagar Rural police station limits, five in Chamarajanagar East police station limits, two in Chamarajanagar Traffic and Kuderu police station, five in Santhemarahalli police station, Gundlupet (6), Beguru (9), Terakanambi (3), two cases each in Yelandur, Mamballi, Kollegal town police station limits, Kollegal rural (9), Hanur (7), Ramapur (2), and MM Hills police station (4).
Kempanayaka of Ramasamudra town told TOI, "I have seen a lot of schoolstudents and minors riding two-wheelers, in some cases triple riding, to schools along Santhemarahalli Road, B Rachaiah Road, near St Francis School, Chennipuramole stretch, and connecting roads. I appeal to both police and the management of schools to take measures to curb the practice of students coming to schools on two-wheelers. I also want to sensitise parents and minors about road safety, penalties for underage driving, and other issues. If police book cases and sensitise them, violations will come down."
Chamarajanagar superintendent of police (SP) BT Kavitha said directions have been given to all police stations to crack down on underage driving, besides sensitising minors and their parents. "As per the provision, one must be 18 years of age to get a driving licence from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to drive a vehicle on a public way. Parents must allow their children to ride bikes and scooters only after they obtain a valid driving licence," the SP said.