Underage Driving Emerges as Critical Threat on Delhi Roads
Underage driving has escalated into a severe public safety concern across Delhi, with traffic police data revealing alarming trends. In the previous year, authorities issued challans to 125 minors for this offense. However, the situation deteriorated significantly in 2024, with the number skyrocketing to over 350 cases.
Current Year Shows Continued Upward Trend
The disturbing pattern persists into the current year. Between January 1 and February 15, police have already challaned nine minors for underage driving, compared to just five during the identical timeframe last year. This represents an 80% increase in enforcement actions against juvenile drivers.
Police officials attribute this phenomenon to multiple factors. Many adolescents are fascinated by the experience of driving and frequently manage to obtain access to their parents' vehicles without permission. "They often slip away with the keys to their parents' cars or two-wheelers," explained a senior traffic officer. When authorities confront parents following accidents involving their children, most express shock and claim ignorance about their child's activities.
Legal Consequences Extend Beyond Minors
The legal framework addresses this issue comprehensively. Beyond registering cases against underage drivers themselves, authorities also take action against vehicle owners under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act. This provision holds guardians or vehicle owners legally liable when minors commit traffic offenses while operating their vehicles.
Tragic Incidents Highlight Deadly Consequences
Several heartbreaking cases underscore the potentially fatal outcomes of underage driving. In October, a 16-year-old girl was apprehended after the car she was operating fatally struck a 64-year-old pedestrian crossing a road in Shahbad Dairy. Subsequently, police filed a case against the girl's mother for permitting the violation.
Another devastating incident occurred last August in northwest Delhi's Samaypur Badli area. A 32-year-old factory worker lost his life after being dragged nearly 600 meters by a car driven by a minor. The juvenile driver was apprehended, and authorities filed a case against his sister for allowing him to take control of the vehicle.
Broader Enforcement Challenges
Parallel to the underage driving crisis, Delhi has witnessed a dramatic surge in challans issued for allowing unauthorized individuals to drive vehicles. In 2024, police recorded over 160,000 such cases, which then jumped to more than 260,000 the following year.
A senior police officer explained this troubling increase: "This results from owners handing over their cars or two-wheelers to people without valid licenses, either out of misplaced trust or for convenience. Others borrow vehicles for short trips, assuming they won't be caught or involved in accidents."
Educational Initiatives and Enforcement Strategies
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Gupta emphasized that his department actively engages with educational institutions. "We conduct outreach programs in schools to educate both students and parents about the legal consequences of underage driving," Gupta stated.
Former Deputy Commissioner of Transport Anil Chhikara highlighted the importance of early education. "Children should be made aware of traffic rules from a young age, a lesson often missing both at home and in schools," he observed. Chhikara stressed that strong enforcement remains critical alongside educational efforts.
Root Causes and Contributing Factors
Chhikara identified several underlying factors driving this dangerous trend. "Many children enjoy the thrill of driving. In some cases, parents find the cost of school transport prohibitively high or face last-mile connectivity problems, prompting them to purchase vehicles that their children ultimately drive," he explained.
The combination of adolescent curiosity, parental oversight gaps, and practical transportation challenges has created a perfect storm for underage driving incidents in the national capital. Authorities continue to balance enforcement actions with preventive education to address this multifaceted road safety challenge.
