Court cracks down on underage driving in Sopore, vehicle registrations suspended

Holding parents accountable for allowing their underage children to drive vehicles in North Kashmir’s Sopore, a court has ordered the suspension of registration of three vehicles for 12 months and directed the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) not to issue driving licences to the concerned minors until they attain the age of 25.

In a crackdown on underage driving, Sopore Police on Sunday said it had secured convictions in three cases, demonstrating strict action against violations of traffic rules.

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According to the police, three vehicles were found being driven by minors without valid driving licences. The vehicles were seized, and cases were presented before the District Mobile Magistrate Traffic (DMMT) Court in Sopore under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The court convicted the registered owners, who are the parents of the minors. As punishment, the registration of the vehicles has been suspended for 12 months. The parents were released on probation, while the ARTO was directed not to issue driving licences to the minors concerned until they reach the age of 25, as per law.

The police have appealed to parents and guardians to strictly prevent minors from driving, stating that underage driving is illegal and poses a serious risk to public safety.

Police further said they remain committed to strict traffic enforcement and road safety, and urged the public to cooperate in maintaining discipline on the roads across Police District Sopore.