- By Imran Zafar
- Sun, 30 Jun 2024 12:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Starting July 1, minors under 18 will be prohibited from buying diesel or petrol at fuel stations across Uttar Pradesh. The decision has been taken to curb underage driving and reduce untoward accidents on roads. This directive, initiated by Dr Suchita Chaturvedi of the State Child Rights Protection Commission, aims to enforce stricter regulations on underage driving of two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
The commission has issued comprehensive guidelines to various departments, including the Director of Secondary and Basic Education, Director General of Police, Commissioner of Food Logistics Department, Transport Commissioner and Additional Inspector General of Police. These measures were prompted by growing concerns over accidents caused by minors driving without a licence and violating traffic rules.
Officials from the traffic, police and education departments agreed to launch a traffic safety campaign in a meeting held on June 6. This campaign will focus on preventing minors from driving motor vehicles, with the traffic police conducting regular enforcement operations. The transport department's officers and employees will also participate in these efforts.
The Food and Logistics Department has been instructed to ensure compliance at petrol pumps through the District Supply Officer. Notices will be displayed at petrol stations to reinforce the ban on selling fuel to minors.
The Transport Department has been directed to collaborate with school management to tackle underage driving. Students under 16 driving any motor vehicle and those under 18 driving motorcycles or four-wheelers with engines over 50 cc will face stringent actions. If minors are caught driving without a valid licence, both the vehicle owners and the drivers will be penalised.
