Ampati, June 21, 2024 : In a concerted effort to combat the rising issue of underage driving among school children, the South West Garo Hills District Police and education officials have taken proactive steps to educate and inform the community.
An awareness meeting was held on Friday at the Government Higher Secondary School, Ampati, where key officials, including Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar IPS and Deputy Superintendent of Police Head Quarter Ravi Sangma MPS, alongside representatives from the Education Department, engaged with parents to clarify the legal implications and safety concerns associated with underage driving.
During the meeting, the officials addressed parents’ concerns and provided detailed information on the severe legal consequences under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles (MV) Amendment Act, 2019. They emphasized that allowing juveniles to drive can result in imprisonment for up to three years and fines of up to ₹25,000 for parents or vehicle owners.
To facilitate compliance with vehicle regulations, the officials highlighted the utility of the mParivahan App and DigiLocker App, which help in maintaining and accessing vehicle documents electronically.
The Superintendent of Police mentioned plans to extend similar awareness programs to other schools in the district and assured that, thereafter, strict actions would be taken against violators.
Parents were strongly urged to adhere to the provisions of the MV Act and to prevent underage driving and riding. This initiative is aimed at preventing accidents and fostering responsible driving habits among school children.
