When the traffic cops called the students' parents to warn them, they realised that many of them did not even know their children were using the vehicles in their absence
With Navi Mumbai already witnessing a spurt in cases of traffic violations, the Traffic police were surprised to find a large number of school-going students riding two-wheelers before attaining the age of 18 years.
Some of the students that were stopped for checking during the drive
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What’s worse, parents of many of the students did not even know that their children were using the vehicles in their absence. In a surprise drive conducted on Tuesday, the Navi Mumbai Traffic police caught over 50 under-age students riding two-wheelers without a driving licence. Such cases were found in Koparkahirane, Vashi, Belapur, Rabale, Seawoods and Turbhe.
Most of the students were in the 15-17 age bracket. Speaking to mid-day, DCP (Traffic) Arvind Salve said, “It is a serious issue as children are not fully aware of the traffic situation on the city roads, or of traffic rules. By driving without a licence, people are risking their own life.
The students who were caught were asked to bring their parents along to the respective traffic units. The vehicles were handed over to the parents after both they and the students were cautioned against repeating such acts. We are planning to intensify our drive near schools.”
Officials at the Traffic unit in Belapur told mid-day that many of the parents were not aware about their children using their vehicles in their absence. “Some of the parents said they had given their kids the vehicles to fill fuel and were shocked after knowing the truth,” said an official.
Cases rising
Navi Mumbai has been witnessing an increase in the number of traffic violation cases. In the first 8 months of 2014, 2,06,299 cases were registered against motorists compared to 2,00,333 cases registered during the same period last year. Motorists were booked with the help of the high-definition CCTV cameras installed across the city.
In 2013, till the month around 880 road accidents were reported on Navi Mumbai’s roads till the end of October. The number has gone up to 1,259 this year.
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