Karnataka sees rise in road accidents caused by minors, 751 cases reported in a year

Under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if a minor is caught driving, the parent or guardian and the owner of the vehicle can be held criminally liable. The law mandates up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of ₹25,000, cancellation of the vehicle’s registration for one year, and a bar on the minor from obtaining a driving licence until the age of 25, according to police.

Despite strict legal provisions prohibiting minors from operating vehicles, Karnataka has recorded a worrying 751 road accidents caused by individuals below the age of 18, between 2023 and 2024, making it the sixth-highest in India, according to data from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The figures, compiled from the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD), place Tamil Nadu at the top with 2,063 such cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The data has raised alarm among road safety experts and law enforcement authorities, who have called for stricter enforcement and greater public awareness.

A senior traffic police officer from Bengaluru noted that while the legal framework exists to deter underage driving, enforcement and societal accountability remain key challenges. “With Karnataka witnessing a steady rise in vehicular population and increasing urban congestion, we are intensifying awareness drives and cracking down on underage drivers,” the official said.

In Bengaluru, the traffic police recently conducted a special month-long drive targeting wheeling offences from March 1 to 31. A total of 398 cases were booked, out of which 82 involved minors. Authorities initiated action against 68 guardians for negligence, and filed 32 cases under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

To further deter repeat offenders, police sent 40 driving licences for suspension and forwarded 197 vehicle registration certificates for cancellation. “These measures aim not only to penalise, but also to create a sense of responsibility among parents and vehicle owners,” the official added.

Under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if a minor is caught driving, the parent or guardian and the owner of the vehicle can be held criminally liable. The law mandates up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of ₹25,000, cancellation of the vehicle’s registration for one year, and a bar on the minor from obtaining a driving licence until the age of 25, according to police.

“If a minor causes an accident or is caught driving, it’s not just the child who is at fault. The law clearly states that the parents or whoever owns the vehicle will be held responsible,” said another senior traffic police officer.