Traffic cops, sociologists to engage with parents, children to curb underage driving

To control the problem of underage driving in the capital, local units of Delhi Traffic Police plan to conduct neighbourhood engagement and awareness programmes for parents and children from 10 to 17 years old.

To control the problem of underage driving in the capital, local units of Delhi Traffic Police plan to conduct neighbourhood engagement and awareness programmes for parents and children from 10 to 17 years old.

Children riding a bike after school in Lajpat Nagar. Special teams will conduct weekly sessions on the problem. (Sanchit Khanna/HT File)

Traffic circles such as Rajouri Garden, Hauz Khas, Punjabi Bagh, Kapashera, and Sarita Vihar are forming teams of traffic officials, sociologists, and doctors.

These teams will conduct weekly sessions for colonies under their jurisdiction on the repercussions of allowing children below the age of 18 year to sit behind the wheel.

“Underage driving is a major problem we have been encountering, especially in posh neighbourhoods. We are still waiting for a strict law which would act as a deterrent for parents as well as teenagers but till that happens we are doing our bit in controlling this growing practice,” said a police official from Hauz Khas.

The official said that they are in the process of getting in touch with experts. A common programme will be created for colonies across the city, however, examples and instances will be picked up from the locality and neighbouring areas.

The Residents’ Welfare Associations of Hauz Khas have been in touch with police units to make these engagements successful in their colonies.

“Children as young as 12 years driving their parents’ cars are a common sight in our colony. We do not want innocent people to pay the price of the arrogance of a few people. With more children taking out cars, other children in the neighbourhood will also want to drive under peer pressure. Such programmes will help us spread caution against such crimes,” said Ravinder Srivastava, a resident of A-block Hauz Khas.