In order to curb the road accidents and fatalities caused by underage drivers, Maharashtra Government has recently amended the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. The amendment entails harsher penalties for parents whose minor children are caught driving without a license.
Under the revised law, parents will now face a hefty fine of Rs 25,000, and their children will be prohibited from obtaining a driving license until they reach the age of 25.
The updated rule explicitly states that individuals below the age of 18 must not operate a motor vehicle in any public area. However, it permits the operation of motorcycles with an engine capacity not exceeding 50CC by individuals who are at least 16 years old.
As per government data, approximately 15,000 people lose their lives each year due to road accidents in the state. Shockingly, more than half of these accidents between January 2022 and December 2022 were caused by two-wheeler drivers, resulting in 7,700 fatalities.
The notification directed Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to prioritise the implementation of the Act’s provisions for two-wheeler drivers and strictly enforce Section 18, which prohibits individuals below the age of 20 from driving transport vehicles in public places.
The move aims to create a safer environment and reduce the loss of life caused by road accidents.