Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 9 Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday warned of stringent action against erratic driving, traffic violations and drunken driving, and said offenders could not seek cover under the Juvenile Justice Act, which deals with minors.
Speaking to reporters, Chennithala said youngsters should not think they could get away with offences because of the protection given by the Act. He said it would not be allowed any longer, and the government would consider amending the Act if required.
He asked parents not to allow their underage children to drive.
“Most importantly, there will be stringent action against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” he said.
His remarks come in the wake of a spate of road accidents in the state, several of them fatal, involving minors behind the wheel, some of them intoxicated.
The minister said he had given strict instructions to the police across the state to act against drunken driving, including by conducting combing operations.
On school bus drivers, he said a recent inspection had found 57 of them driving under the influence of alcohol while ferrying children.
“Imagine parents sending children to school in the morning and the driver of the bus happens to be intoxicated. Strict action will be taken against such persons, and there will be no compromise,” he said.
“Therefore, erratic driving, driving while intoxicated, violation of traffic rules or racing, especially among private buses, will not be permitted,” he said.
He warned private bus drivers that the government was considering cancelling the licences of those found driving at high speed and causing accidents.
In an X post, Chennithala said that traffic rules should become a habit, not something to be remembered only when the police are watching.
He said the government planned to bring ‘Children’s Traffic Parks’ across Keralam back into active use so that young people could learn road discipline through practical training.
“Awareness must begin early if we want safer roads later. Teach the rules. Build the habit. Save lives,” he said.
Kochi City Police Commissioner R Nishanthini told reporters that the police had been conducting a drive for the past two to three days against over-speeding and reckless driving by private buses.
She said that in all accident cases leading to deaths, steps were being taken to initiate proceedings for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
“There will be strict action against reckless driving,” she said.
On Sunday, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said there would be no compromise on road safety and that strict action would be taken against “reckless driving and dangerous racing between private buses” on state roads.
(PTI News)
