Pune RTO To Launch Crackdown On Underage Driving From January 2025
Pune RTO To Launch Crackdown On Underage Driving From January 2025 ( Representational Image )
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Pune has announced a major drive against underage driving, starting from January. This move comes after a series of incidents involving minors driving vehicles recklessly, putting themselves and others at risk.
In a recent incident, a 13-year-old boy was caught driving a car after he hit another vehicle from behind. The boy’s age was revealed when he tried to flee the scene, and locals intervened. In another incident, three school uniform-clad minors were seen driving bikes recklessly, overtaking a car and cutting lanes.
The RTO has warned parents and guardians not to hand over vehicles to minors, stating that if caught, the minors will not be eligible to apply for a driving license until they turn 25. Additionally, the vehicle will lose its registration for a year, and an FIR will be registered against the parents or guardian of the minor caught driving.
However, not everyone is convinced that the RTO’s drive will be effective. Prashant Inamdar of Pedestrians First questioned the RTO’s approach, stating that a drive against underage driving should be a continuous effort, not just a one-time initiative. Lokesh Verma, a government employee and resident of Camp, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such drives, citing the lack of enforcement of helmet-wearing rules for two-wheeler riders.
The RTO’s crackdown on underage driving is a step in the right direction, but its success will depend on the sustained efforts of the authorities and the cooperation of parents and guardians.
