Underage driving is dangerous and reprehensible

The car that crashed into the bike of the of victims. Pic/PTI

Outrage and anger are at an all-time high after a 17-year-old boy, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, rammed his luxury car into a bike in Pune, resulting in the death of a biker and pillion rider. A lot has been said about the boy's father's arrest, the driver's bail and the punishment meted out, and social media is on fire, and we suspect will continue to be.

This edit wants to highlight one factor in this case and shine a spotlight on underage driving. We are not even talking about the other aspects, simply how underage driving is sometimes dismissed flippantly but can be very dangerous.

We have seen instances where young teens have slipped away with car or bike keys, while parents are away or sleeping at night. They are then out for a ‘spin' or larking around with similar-aged friends, these too, equally thrilled at having access to a vehicle. Parents need to keep the car/bike keys with them or under lock and key, making them inaccessible to their children.

At times, shockingly, we see the elders themselves handing over the wheel, just for five minutes or so, to their children, sitting next to them saying they have ‘control' of the vehicle. This happens with two-wheelers too, where the underage rider, sometimes as young as 12 to 13 is sitting in front while the adult is directly
behind guiding them.

All this is dangerous and reprehensible. In fact, children have to be told that there is a good reason for age limits and one must always adhere to the rules. In fact, the narrative must change from irresponsible rebels and lawbreakers to rule followers being considered cool. There is no thrill or machismo in driving underage. Saying it straightforward - it is a crime. Stamp out this kind of underage fun that can turn fatal and lead to a lifetime of sorrow and regret.