Underage driving: STA launches two-day special drive in Odisha, FIR against guardians to be filed

The Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) on Monday launched a two-day special drive to put a check on underage driving. The move assumes significance owing to the rise in the number of road accidents and casualties.

In 2023, road accidents claimed 557 lives in Odisha out of which 224 persons killed were in the age below 18 years.

In a letter to all the Regional Transport Officers, the STA had earlier instructed to take consistent and punitive action under the provisions of 199 (A) of the Motor Vehicles Act considering the severity of road accidents and death scenario in the state which has emerged as a horror next to drug menace.

As part of the decision, the RTOs have been instructed to conduct a special drive against juvenile offences during a two-day drive starting today. STA has categorically stated the officials to conduct the enforcement drive in full strength and Section 199 (A) of the MV act and strictly follow it when a juvenile offence is detected.

As per the norms, the vehicle driven by minor drivers shall be detained as far as possible. Similarly, FIR against the guardian or owner shall be filed at the police station where juvenile offence is detected, the STA letter read.

STA has also asked senior officials to take steps to educate and sensitise juveniles regarding the horrible impact of road accidents