The State Governments on Friday resolved to act upon the idea of penalising the parents or guardians of the under-age drivers or minors guilty of drunken driving and other traffic violations. Such cases are likely to attract huge penalties and imprisonment, even for their parents, with the States recommending strict punishment for breach of traffic rules.

The group of State Ministers, headed by Rajasthan Transport Minister Yunus Khan, unanimously agreed to framing strict penalties for offences like driving by minors, crossing speed limits, drunk driving, talking over phone while driving and jumping traffic lights.

The group in its recommendations submitted to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also suggested online learning licences henceforth, besides uniform forms for transport issues across the country and extending the timeframe for driving licences.

"We have recommended stricter penalties for traffic rule violations and bringing parents of juveniles too under penalty provisions. The amount of the penalty and punishment is yet to be fixed and will be done after proper study of CrPC and IPC provisions," Khan said the first meeting of the Group of Ministers.

After failing to push new road safety Bill in Parliament due to Opposition from the States, the Centre constituted the GoM for framing stricter traffic rules. The next meeting of the GoM would be held in Bengaluru on May 20 followed by a meeting to finalise proposals on June 10.

The recommendations come close on heels of Delhi Police this month arresting a Mercedes car owner whose minor son allegedly knocked dead a 32-year-old marketing executive in north Delhi's Civil lines area on April 4.

Also, it recommended fitting all public vehicles with GPS, camera, broad band and other such features without which vehicles would not be allowed to be registered.

"There would be special provisions to check over speeding and those violating it would be subjected to stricter penalties," Khan said, adding that the recommendations will be in the public domain and after comments from stakeholders a final decision would be taken by the GoM by June 10.