Coimbatore Grapples with Escalating Underage Driving Crisis
In Coimbatore, a disturbing trend is unfolding on the city's roads, as underage driving incidents surge, leading to tragic consequences. What often begins as a thrill-seeking adventure or a display of bravado for minors behind the wheel of motorcycles or cars frequently culminates in devastating accidents, endangering not only the young drivers but also innocent pedestrians and other motorists.
Alarming Statistics Highlight a Growing Menace
This year alone, Coimbatore has witnessed five major road accidents directly linked to underage drivers, resulting in two fatalities. This follows a troubling pattern from the previous year, where more than 12 accidents were attributed to minor drivers. The city police have implemented a zero-tolerance policy, holding parents and vehicle owners accountable, yet the outcomes remain dishearteningly insufficient.
In one particularly tragic case reported this year, the victim was the underage driver himself. Varun Dharman, a 17-year-old resident of Gandhipuram, was riding a scooter with two minor friends as pillion riders when he lost control and crashed. Varun sustained severe head injuries and later succumbed at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, while his friends escaped with minor injuries.
Police Crackdown and Educational Initiatives
S Ashok Kumar, the city deputy police commissioner (traffic), emphasized that authorities are intensifying efforts to curb this menace. "We have instructed school principals and correspondents to educate students against driving vehicles before obtaining a licence," he stated. "With summer holidays approaching, we are also visiting schools to raise awareness about the dire consequences of underage driving."
According to Kumar, parents, guardians, and vehicle owners are now being included on the list of offenders if an unlicensed minor causes an accident. If a minor is caught driving during vehicle checks, a fine of up to Rs 25,000 will be imposed on the parent or vehicle owner, and the vehicle will be seized.
Legal and Financial Ramifications for Families
Advocate R Kalaiarasu highlighted the severe legal and financial implications. Insurance claims are typically denied when minors are involved in accidents, leaving victims potentially uncompensated. "Earlier, insurers used to settle such claims first and later recover the amount from the vehicle owner who allowed the minor to drive. However, since 2022, insurance companies have been rejecting these claims outright," he explained.
This shift places direct liability on the vehicle owner or parent who permitted the underage driving. In cases where the offender's family is financially disadvantaged and unable to pay compensation, the situation becomes even more precarious. If the family owns property, the law permits its attachment for recovery of compensation, adding a layer of economic distress to the tragedy.
Enforcement Measures and Counseling Programs
M Periyasamy, traffic inspector (west), detailed the procedural steps taken by police. In underage driving cases, parents are summoned to the station, where counseling sessions are arranged for both the parents and the offender to elucidate the risks of unlicensed driving. A fine of Rs 10,000 is levied on the minor who drove the vehicle, and Rs 15,000 on the person who allowed it. Repeated violations could lead to even heavier penalties, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
The combination of educational outreach, stringent fines, and legal accountability aims to stem the tide of underage driving accidents in Coimbatore, protecting young lives and ensuring road safety for all residents.
