Counselling sesssion was organised for 269 minors who were caught driving on Thursday in Hyderabad
Hyderabad:
Over 200 minors were caught driving on Thursday as Hyderabad police intensified its efforts to make the city's roads safe.
In city's North zone area, 269 minors were caught driving. They have been put through a compulsory three-day counselling along with their parents.
The initiative of the police comes on the heels of the death of a 10-year-old schoolgirl Ramya, which had evoked outrage in the city.
Ramya's car had been involved in a head-on collision on July 2. The other car was driven by 20-year-old Shravil, who was on way home from a local bar with a group of friends.
The session, which began with a 2-minute silent tribute to Ramya, reminded the youngsters and their parents of the consequences of reckless drunk driving.
"It's the responsibility of parents. They have to be strict.The children will also understand and learn,'' said traffic regulation officer Jitender. The idea is not to victimise minors or their parents, he added.
But, there were a few who justified driving before the specified age.
"I was taking my mother to a clinic. During a medical emergency, isn't it better if I know driving?'' said 17-year-old Mayur.
Chandan, a student, said that youngsters should be allowed to drive within their residential area. "We have to go to our classes and help out with stuff for the family,'' he said, adding "I am only two months short of 18."
Ranjit Jain, a father, said parents can't withstand pressure from their children.
"Children just don't listen. We come under tremendous pressure. Even if I stop, when I am out, they will convince the mother.''
Roshan says forcing them to come for classes for three days is not fair. "We will have to miss our classes.''
So was a lesson learnt from the counselling session?
Definitely yes, said K Chandrasekhar, father of 17-year-old Tarun.
"With this counselling, they will definitely learn how dangerous it is to drive 2-wheeler, without licence or helmet.''
In city's North zone area, 269 minors were caught driving. They have been put through a compulsory three-day counselling along with their parents.
The initiative of the police comes on the heels of the death of a 10-year-old schoolgirl Ramya, which had evoked outrage in the city.
Ramya's car had been involved in a head-on collision on July 2. The other car was driven by 20-year-old Shravil, who was on way home from a local bar with a group of friends.
The session, which began with a 2-minute silent tribute to Ramya, reminded the youngsters and their parents of the consequences of reckless drunk driving.
"It's the responsibility of parents. They have to be strict.The children will also understand and learn,'' said traffic regulation officer Jitender. The idea is not to victimise minors or their parents, he added.
But, there were a few who justified driving before the specified age.
"I was taking my mother to a clinic. During a medical emergency, isn't it better if I know driving?'' said 17-year-old Mayur.
Chandan, a student, said that youngsters should be allowed to drive within their residential area. "We have to go to our classes and help out with stuff for the family,'' he said, adding "I am only two months short of 18."
Ranjit Jain, a father, said parents can't withstand pressure from their children.
"Children just don't listen. We come under tremendous pressure. Even if I stop, when I am out, they will convince the mother.''
Roshan says forcing them to come for classes for three days is not fair. "We will have to miss our classes.''
So was a lesson learnt from the counselling session?
Definitely yes, said K Chandrasekhar, father of 17-year-old Tarun.
"With this counselling, they will definitely learn how dangerous it is to drive 2-wheeler, without licence or helmet.''
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