In a decisive move to enhance road safety, the Nagpur police have intensified their crackdown on underage driving, holding parents directly accountable for violations. The ongoing drive, named 'Operation U-Turn', has seen stringent action against numerous minors and their guardians since July 2025.
Stringent Penalties for Parents Under MV Act
The police are invoking Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which makes parents or guardians liable for allowing minors to drive. The consequences are severe and multifaceted. More than 50 parents have been penalised so far, facing a range of legal actions.
The penalties include the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs), imposition of fines between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000, and the possibility of imprisonment for up to three years. Additionally, the registration of the vehicle involved is suspended for 12 months. In some extreme cases, courts have gone a step further by prohibiting the offending minors from applying for a driving licence until they turn 25 years old.
Zero-Tolerance Stance from Police Leadership
Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singal and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Lohit Matani have reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy towards this menace. They caution that permitting minors to drive recklessly endangers lives and public safety.
"Never hand over vehicles to minors as we will continue with strict action without any leniency," stated CP Singal. He emphasised that the conviction rate in such cases is notably high, serving as a strong deterrent. To further discourage violations, police are regularly seizing vehicles used by underage drivers.
Recent Enforcement Drives and Convictions
The enforcement has been consistent and widespread. In August 2025 alone, 25 parents were charged across 7 separate FIRs. The drive continued this month, with an additional 7 cases being processed swiftly through the Lok Adalat, where fines of Rs 30,000 were levied in several instances.
Among the city's divisions, the Sonegaon traffic division, led by Senior Inspector Praveen Pande, recorded the highest number of cases. They registered 15 cases against minors and their parents, with seven already resulting in convictions and fines exceeding Rs 30,000.
The city police have issued a stern appeal to all parents and guardians, urging them to strictly dissuade their underage children from driving. The message is clear: the responsibility for preventing underage driving lies squarely with the adults, and negligence will attract serious legal repercussions under the amended motor vehicle laws.
