Srinagar, Nov 21: People have appreciated the decision of Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) for announcing a ban on minor students driving motor vehicles, including two-wheelers to schools.
The new directive mandates that no minor be allowed entry into school premises while operating a vehicle. This measure follows increasing concerns over road accidents caused by underage drivers, which have raised serious public safety risks.
Lateef Ahmad, a parent from Beerwah said that the community should embrace the decision made by the school education department and refrain from allowing their children to drive vehicles at any time, as this could help reduce the incidence of accidents in Jammu and Kashmir.
” It is the responsibility of every parent to ensure that their minor children are not given access to vehicles, which could contribute to a decrease in road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Mehnaz Jan, a student, remarked that those attending schools and coaching centers should adhere to the school education department’s decision and refrain from bringing vehicles to these institutions, thereby minimizing the involvement of underage students in road accidents.
“It is also the duty of the government, educational institutions, and parents to prevent any minor student who has not reached the appropriate age from operating any type of vehicle. As a student, I commend the decision made by the education department, and it is essential for both parents and students to accept this directive at the grassroots level,” she added.
Additional Transport Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir, Ajaz Abdullah Saraf, informed Rising Kashmir that minors are prohibited from operating any vehicles. He emphasized that eligible youth must apply for a driving license at the nearest ARTO office in their respective districts.
“If they successfully pass the driving test, they will be granted a driving license, thereby qualifying them to operate light vehicles.”
Saraf said that minors driving without the appropriate license and vehicle documentation are in violation of traffic regulations.