Panaji: The North Goa district road safety (DRSF) committee has decided to step up awareness and enforcement against underage driving, making it a key component of the district’s road-safety efforts.The decision was taken at a meeting held on Friday, chaired by the deputy collector and the North Goa DRSF committee.On average, at least four driving accident cases involving minors were registered every year since 2020 and around 20 cases annually involved drivers without valid driving licences in Goa.The awareness-cum-enforcement drive against underage driving is to be jointly undertaken by the directorate of transport and the traffic police.Under the motor vehicles act in Goa, when a juvenile commits an offence using a motor vehicle, the parent, guardian or vehicle owner can, in certain circumstances, be held responsible. The law provides for imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 25,000 for the responsible parent or owner. The vehicle’s registration can also be cancelled for 12 months, while the juvenile may be barred from obtaining a driving or learner’s licence until 25, subject to the applicable provisions of law.The law presumes the juvenile was driving with the guardian’s or vehicle owner’s consent unless they can prove otherwise or show they exercised due diligence to prevent the vehicle’s use.The committee’s decision to stress enforcement places responsibility on minors and adults who allow them access to vehicles. It also decided to observe State Road Safety Week from Sep 28 to Oct 4.Other campaigns will focus on “Don’t Drink and Drive”, with assistance from GMC, Bambolim, removal of stray cattle from highways and major roads, documenting vehicle-animal accidents, monitoring vehicular noise and exhaust pollution, installing “No Parking” signs on approach roads to GMC and putting up the tourism department’s “Don’t Drive on Beaches” signs.
