Mon May 12 19:10:30 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Cracks Down on Underage Driving After Series of Fatal Accidents

**Chennai, India (May 13, 2025)** – The Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) are taking a hardline stance against underage driving following a recent surge in accidents involving minors. In the past four months, five people have been killed and 22 injured in crashes caused by underage drivers. In response, the GCTP has begun arresting and remanding the parents of these minors, holding them legally responsible.

Several high-profile cases have highlighted the severity of the issue. One incident involved a 13-year-old boy who fatally injured an 83-year-old man while driving his parents’ car. His father was subsequently remanded in judicial custody. Other cases involve minors driving two-wheelers and cars, resulting in injuries and fatalities.

According to GCTP statistics, the number of fatalities and injuries from underage driving incidents has increased significantly since 2014. Police attribute the problem partly to parents unwittingly encouraging their children to drive for short trips without understanding the legal ramifications.

Section 199-A of the Motor Vehicles Act allows for the prosecution of guardians or vehicle owners for accidents caused by underage drivers, with penalties including up to three years imprisonment and a ₹25,000 fine. The GCTP reports that at least 12 parents have recently been remanded in custody for this offense.

Child rights activist and lawyer Rajkumar Muthukrishnan emphasized the importance of stricter enforcement, including impounding vehicles and increased patrols in accident-prone areas. He also stressed the need for improved road safety education in schools and greater parental responsibility. The GCTP’s crackdown aims to send a strong message that underage driving will not be tolerated and that parents bear significant responsibility for their children’s actions.

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