‘Adrenaline rush, lack of awareness causing accidents in MP’

Lack of awareness on traffic rules and an adrenaline rush to violate rules was one of the major reasons behind increase in deaths due to rash driving by juveniles in Madhya Pradesh, said additional superintendent of police (traffic) Sameer Yadav on Friday.

Lack of awareness on traffic rules and an adrenaline rush to violate rules was one of the major reasons behind increase in deaths due to rash driving by juveniles in Madhya Pradesh, said additional superintendent of police (traffic) Sameer Yadav on Friday.

According to the recently released national crime records bureau (NCRB) report, 2015, MP stands at the second position after neighbouring Maharashtra in number of deaths caused due to rash driving by juveniles. A total of 51 cases were registered by the police last year while 31 cases were registered in 2014.

“Juveniles in the teenage group of 12-15 years are the ones who often violate traffic rules which sometimes prove to be fatal. They often indulge in violations like not wearing helmets, riding with more than one pillion and jumping red lights at traffic signals. Most of them think that by doing so they have achieved a feat which would enhance their image in their peer group. They are not only putting their life in danger but that of others too,” said Yadav.

He said the maximum juvenile violators were from reputed schools of the city.

“The traffic police have asked the management of these schools to sensitise their students about road safety and traffic rules,” Yadav added.

“We ask parents to not allow their children below the age of 16 to drive vehicles. If above 16, they should ensure that their kids have proper license and wear helmets before hitting the road. Despite all these efforts, the ground reality is that most of the parents and school managements don’t care much about juveniles who indulge in rash driving,” Yadav said.