Jammu: In a bid to ensure the safety of underage children, petrol pumps in Jammu have started displaying posters saying, “No fuel for vehicles driven by minors.” The Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of School Education (DSE) has also issued a notice stopping minor students from driving cars or bikes to school.

The poster, first displayed at petrol pumps in the Gandhi Nagar area on the Jammu-Pathankot highway, highlights the message “No fuel for minors”.

‘No Fuel For Minors’ Initiative Gains Support Amid Road Safety Concerns

“The poster, which specifically focuses on minors riding two-wheelers without helmets or four-wheelers, is aimed at ensuring the safety of children,” said an employee of the petrol pump.

This initiative has been praised by locals and encouraged authorities to act on the issue.

Tragic Accidents Spark Debate on Underage Driving

The move comes after a tragic accident On November 14, two young boys died while another was critically injured after a tragic collision between two vehicles near the Tengpora area in Srinagar. This incident sparked a debate on driving by minors and road safety in the valley.

DSE Circular Warns Schools Against Allowing Underage Driving

Following another accident in Srinagar last week, in which two teenage boys died and two others were injured after their car rammed into a stationary truck, the DSE issued an order prohibiting minor students from driving motor vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers, to school.

In response, the DSE issued a circular warning schools and coaching centres against allowing minors to drive. 

The Circular Directed School Authorities to:

• It has come to notice that some underage students are driving vehicles while going to schools or coaching centres. Such an act has the potential of causing road accidents, endangering public safety, and is also in violation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.
• The directive further instructed schools and coaching centres to ensure proper sensitisation of students and parents about the dangers and risks involved in underage driving.
• Awareness programmes on age restrictions and traffic rules should be organised in collaboration with the traffic police.
• Parents and guardians should be educated through PTMs (parents-teachers meetings) about the consequences of underage driving and their responsibilities.
• Additionally, schools and coaching centres are required to monitor parking areas and entry points to ensure compliance.
• Any instance of a minor driving a vehicle should be immediately reported to the concerned authorities. They should also regularly coordinate with the Traffic Police to enforce strict measures.
• The directive emphasised activating all road safety and school safety clubs to raise awareness in schools.
• All government and private schools & coaching centres must strictly ensure the implementation of the above circular instructions in letter and spirit. Any violation of the instructions shall invite legal action under the Motor Vehicle Act and relevant laws, including the withdrawal of recognition and registration of the institution.