Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Zipping past ...

Mobike driving by adolescents is a matter of concern

DRIVING CRAZY A scene on a Tiruchi road Photo: M. MOORTHY

Riding a two-wheeler is quite a thrilling experience for the youth. The blaring horns, the rooming noise, the sheer excitement of zipping ahead - all add to a sense of adventure in young blood. With a variety of sleek, fast moving and light vehicles foraying into the market, owning a two-wheeler has become a fashion statement for adolescents these days. It is a common sight to find school kids - majority obviously under-age - whizzing the city roads on their motor vehicles.

Trendy bikes

For many, it has become the vehicle to commute to and from school daily. The trendy bikes are the in-thing and may soon replace the good old bicycles. Transport rules clearly lay down that only those above 16 years are eligible to drive gearless two-wheeler with an engine power below 50 cc. To drive vehicles of higher capacity and those with gears, a rider needs has to be above 18 years in order to get a valid driving licence. Yet, the rules are clearly given a go by going by the number of adolescent motorists one finds on the city roads.

Quite a number of girls too are seen riding vehicles above 50 cc and giving a torrid time to other road users. Transport authorities say many students may be lacking in strength, judgment and control to handle such vehicles. In a city where vehicle users have grown manifold, violations under the Motor Vehicle Act is a major cause of worry particularly when number of road mishaps is also rising.

Periodic checks

The Regional Transport Office claims to conduct periodic checks but enforcement appears pretty lax. In a recent drive, the RTO impounded 25 vehicles, all of which were driven by kids, not old enough to even apply for a driving licence! While failing to check the problem, the transport and police authorities blame the school managements and parents for such a dangerous trend. Many parents do not think twice before buying a bike for their kid. Even middle class parents take pride in seeing their kids ride bikes, says a schoolteacher.

School managements too turn a blind eye to the issue. ``It will be better if students avoid riding vehicles, which they are not supposed to, for their own safety as well as others," says R. Panchanadhan, a retired professor.

The school authorities should ascertain whether the students coming on two-wheelers hold licences, he adds, while stressing on the role of parents in educating children. The Transport Department is planning to send a communication to all city schools directing them to create an awareness among students of the need to adhere to motor vehicle rules, besides ensuring that youngsters don't drive vehicles without a licence. There is undoubtedly a need for sensitisation given the gravity of the situation. But who cares?

R.RAJARAM

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail