Editorial | Strict Action Against Minors

The growing trend of minors driving vehicles on roads across Kashmir has become a serious public safety concern that demands immediate and strict action from authorities. Every day, one can see school-going children and teenagers riding motorcycles, scooters, and even driving cars on busy roads without valid driving licences. This reckless practice puts not only the lives of these children at risk but also endangers pedestrians, passengers, and other road users.

Road safety is not merely a legal issue. It is a matter of life and death. Traffic laws clearly prohibit minors from driving motor vehicles, yet violations continue openly in towns, villages, and cities across Kashmir. In many cases, underage drivers are seen speeding through crowded markets, performing dangerous stunts, or carrying multiple passengers. Such behaviour reflects a dangerous disregard for safety and law.

The rise in road accidents involving young drivers should serve as a warning. A child lacks the maturity, judgment, and experience required to handle a vehicle safely. Even a small mistake can lead to devastating consequences. Families have lost loved ones, young lives have been cut short, and many individuals have suffered permanent disabilities because of road accidents involving inexperienced drivers.

Parents must share responsibility for this growing problem. Many minors gain access to vehicles with the knowledge or permission of their families. Some parents consider it harmless or even a sign of independence when their children drive before reaching the legal age. Such thinking is deeply flawed. Handing over a vehicle to a minor is not an act of trust. It is an act of negligence that can lead to tragedy.

Authorities must intensify enforcement measures. Traffic police should conduct regular inspections near schools, colleges, marketplaces, and residential areas. Vehicles driven by minors should be seized immediately, and penalties should be imposed strictly in accordance with the law. Parents or guardians who allow minors to drive should also face legal consequences. Without accountability, violations will continue unchecked.

Schools have an equally important role to play. Educational institutions should regularly organise road safety awareness programmes and inform students about traffic regulations and the dangers of underage driving. Young people must understand that driving is a responsibility that comes only after attaining the required age, training, and licence. Awareness campaigns can help change attitudes before risky habits become common.

Community leaders, religious scholars, civil society groups, and local representatives should also join efforts to address this issue. Public awareness campaigns through social media, local gatherings, and community meetings can help spread a strong message that underage driving is unacceptable. Society must stop treating this violation as a minor offence and recognise it as a threat to public safety.

Technology can also support enforcement. Surveillance cameras installed at major intersections and public places can help identify violations. Digital monitoring systems can assist traffic authorities in tracking repeat offenders and ensuring that penalties are implemented effectively. Modern tools should be used to strengthen road safety measures and improve compliance with traffic laws.

The government must launch a sustained campaign across J&K focused specifically on preventing minors from driving. Such a campaign should combine strict enforcement with public education. The message must be simple and clear. No child should be allowed behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Roads are not places for experimentation or youthful excitement. They require discipline, responsibility, and respect for human life.

Many parents would never knowingly place their children in danger, yet allowing them to drive before the legal age does exactly that. A few moments of excitement can result in lifelong regret. Every accident prevented is a life protected, a family spared from grief, and a community made safer.

Kashmir has witnessed significant improvements in road infrastructure and vehicle ownership over the years. However, these developments must be accompanied by stronger road discipline. Safe roads cannot be achieved through infrastructure alone. They require responsible behaviour from citizens and strict enforcement by authorities.

The time has come for a zero tolerance approach towards underage driving. Authorities must act firmly, parents must act responsibly, and society must act collectively. Children belong in schools, playgrounds, and classrooms, not behind the steering wheel. Protecting young lives and ensuring safer roads for everyone should remain a shared priority. Strict action today can prevent countless tragedies tomorrow.