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| File pictures of school students driving two-wheelers in Bhubaneswar |
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 10: School and college students think twice before you hit the street with your mean machines as the regional transport office (RTO) has decided to crack the whip on underage driving.
Apart from the crackdown, signboards will be put up to warn motorists against speeding. The aim is to ensure that the speed limit is not breached in the city, especially near schools.
Regional transport officer, Bhubaneswar, Lal Mohan Sethy said a team of officials would keep a watch on drivers near schools in the city.
“We will seize two-wheelers driven by students below 18 years. As per norms, no one below 18 years is entitled to apply for a driving licence. Minors driving two-wheelers not only pose threat to others, but are also putting their own lives at risk,” he said.
Earlier, those below 18 years were being issued licence to drive vehicles without gears and with an engine capacity of less than 50cc. However, this was stopped after the state transport department issued guidelines in this regard. Besides, vehicles having an engine capacity of less than 50cc are not available in the market anymore.
The RTO has also decided to put up speed limit signage near schools. Vehicles cannot cross the speed limit of 20kmph in such areas. Any violation of the rule will invite a penalty. Those found driving without a valid licence will be fined up to Rs 1,500, while those breaching the speed limit might end up paying Rs 2,000 as penalty.
Very often city residents complain about rash driving by school and college students. “One can spot minors driving motorcycles and scooters recklessly. Since the traffic condition around schools remains heavy during opening and closing hours, rash driving often creates problems,” said Nirakar Mohapatra, a resident of Satya Nagar.
“In the first phase, we will create awareness about driving slowly near schools by installing signboards. In future, we will adopt stricter measures,” Sethy said.
Statistics with the state transport authority reveal that the number of accidents in the city in 2012 and 2013 was 625 and 563, respectively.