Artical on Under age driving
Answers
Underage Driving: A Necessary Evil To Avoid.
Driving is an integral part of everyone’s life be it a 2-wheeler or 4-wheeler. However, to enjoy the bliss of driving it is always safe to drive once the person attains the requisite legal age to drive. Prior to that age, driving any sort of vehicle is a danger for the novice driver as well as the fellow motorists and pedestrians on the road. As our forum is all about cars and driving, hence, I thought of sharing this one major aspect of being safe on roads and driving in a polished manner so that the youth never shall end up in an awkward situation and neither do their families have to face any insult.
The most prominent age group that I have come across in this case is the 13-17 years old. Parents without any hesitation provide the teenagers with 2-wheeler and once the keys are handed over, they feel the world is under their feet. They drive in the most dangerous way whether in traffic or on open roads. Majority of them pay no heed towards their own safety and that of others on the road. Mostly they are least bothered about the traffic rules. One can see them driving with minimum 3 teenagers on a bike or scooter without helmet or any protective gear. And if with their negligence they meet with unfortunate mishap the only person to be blamed is the bigger vehicle no matter even if that vehicle tries to avoid the collision in due time gets maximum damage.
Talking about 4 Wheeler, Having half-knowledge about anything is as dangerous as having no knowledge at all. In every urban household, we have at least one vehicle in present day, hence, the kid of the house does not suppress his urge to drive that vehicle and takes it for a drive with friends or alone without knowledge of parents and in some cases the parents become over-confident and give the keys to the kids. This is the most pathetic scenario where in parents even after knowing the consequences put their child’s life on stake. There are on daily basis innumerable mishaps involving under age driving and with these mishaps what we loose is a precious life which could have been saved if the parents would have been more concerned and vigilant. I personally feel that the reason behind rise of such unfortunate mishaps is nothing but the urge of the kid and fulfilling the demands of kids by the parents.
As on our forum we do have many teenagers who wait to place their hands on the steering and also ride bikes et al, I in the interest of their safety and the safety of those who view our forum would like to mention certain suggestions which shall enable them to learn about the right perspective of driving.
• Goes without saying though, never ride/drive a vehicle until you are 18 years.
• Never fall for peer-pressure. This is one of the most significant reason which gives rise to underage driving.
• Never hide your urge to drive, share with your parents. They are the best judge for the child.
• Gain knowledge of safe driving by observing fellow motorists. Read articles and literature.
• If you are learning to drive/ride, never drive/ride alone on roads or colony compounds. Always be accompanied by a responsible pillion or co-driver.
• It is always necessary to have sound knowledge of traffic rules once you ride/learn to drive a vehicle.
• Parents need to be vigilant enough in addressing the pre-mature driving urges of their kids and show them the right way.
• Respect all vehicles including yours on the road. Never be an insane rider/driver.
• Respect all people on the road. Its not just that on the whole road you are the only one to ride/drive.
• The educational institutions should actively participate in teaching responsible driving by adding it into curriculum just like many of them have inducted ‘Self Defense’ as a activity.
• This is especially for the youth, never be over-confident of your skill.
I feel with the above suggestions, we may provide some thoughtful insights to our extremely advanced youth/teenage generation and hope that the under-age driving is curbed to some extent.