Kerala Motor Vehicles Department puts parents on notice

Kochi: Parents beware! According to Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), soon you will land in trouble if your underage children are caught driving motorbikes or other vehicles.  MVD is set to recommend police cases against parents for letting their underage children drive. “The measure is taken after we noticed an increase in instances of underage driving in cities like Kochi. The parents should always monitor their kids and should not concede to their demands for superbikes and the likes,” said a senior MVD officer.

The initiative was taken following a mishap at Kochi earlier this month when a Class X student met with a tragic end after he accidentally accelerated the scooter he was riding and smashed into an electric post. “In those instances where the vehicle is taken on rent or belongs to someone else, we’ll recommend to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to take action against the Registration Certificate owner of the vehicle. A fine of Rs 1,500 will be levied on the offender before forwarding the case to the police,” the officer said.

As part of the initiate, the MVD has forwarded a proposal for consideration of the government to invoke Section 180 and 181 of the Motor Vehicles Act under which those allowing unauthorised persons drive the vehicles shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. The MVD also has decided to intensify inspections against youngsters, especially on two-wheelers, speeding in a reckless and dangerous manner.