Ranchi traffic police’s recent crackdown on two-wheeler riding with specific focus on schoolchildren is meant to be beginning of series of similar drives, claimed traffic department officials, where defaulters will have to face extra fines and counselling with parents before they ride free once again.
“Exacting more financial penalty from underage riders more is a possible deterrent we are looking into. This seems to be the only way to stop minors who did not give up riding and driving even after several awareness programmes,” stated Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dilip Khalkho.
He further said, “Additionally, we are letting the seized vehicles go only after the teenager driving it brings in his parent or guardian for a counselling. These sessions focus on telling parents not allow their wards to drive unless they are of age.”
Awareness drives are regularly conducted in schools under Road Safety Weeks to familiarise the students with traffic laws, stated District Transport Officer Nagendra Paswan. Drives to check underage drivers have been conducted even in the past, but they have somewhat slowed down in recent times.
“The police personnel usually deputed for such drives had been busy with panchayat elections of late and so we were unable to launch any more drives recently. But as the polls are over, our agenda includes conducting checking drives intensively once again. And given the rise in tendency of rash driving among teenagers and number of resulting deaths, minor riders will be the primary concern,” stated Regional Transport Officer Rajesh Kumar Barwar.
To cover as much teenagers as possible, traffic police and transport department are planning to bring school administrations in the loop too. Even past traffic awareness drives, like Parivartan Rally, had seen significant participation from schools and their students, stated DTO Nagendra Pasawan, and we have been interacting with them regularly for their support in the matter.
And schools are more than happy to help. “We instruct our students with the beginning of every to avoid coming to the school on motorised vehicles. Even for parents-teacher meetings, the teachers are instructed to ask the parents to refrain from allowing their children to ride children. But still, some students do come to the school on their two-wheelers and park someplace else. We cannot be concerned about this as we are often unaware,” stated Oxford Public School Principal AK Singh.