Underage drivers continue to defy traffic rules

Rawalpindi: Despite repeated directives from the government and continued enforcement drives by traffic police, underage driving remains a persistent and growing threat across the federal capital. Residents witness minor boys racing motorcycles on busy roads daily, often without helmets, licenses, or regard for traffic laws. The question lingers in many minds: whose child will be next?

“The phenomenon, enabled by a mix of parental indifference, inadequate legal enforcement, and overstretched traffic authorities, continues to put countless lives at risk,” says Hasrat Ali, a resident of G-10.

“A recent incident involving a 14-year-old boy who crashed his motorcycle into a rickshaw near Peshawar Morr has reignited public concern. The crash left two people injured and highlighted a broader, unchecked pattern of juvenile drivers navigating the city’s traffic with neither training nor accountability,” adds Hasrat.

“Over 2,100 cases of underage driving were recorded in the first quarter of 2025 — a 17 per cent increase compared to last year. The majority of violations involve motorcycles, primarily driven by boys aged between 13 and 17,” according to traffic department data shared by Narmeen Ali.

“We issue challans, impound vehicles, and even summon parents. However, violations continue to rise. This is not just a legal issue — it is a social failure. Parents are actively enabling the problem by handing over keys to minors,” says Shafqat Ali, a traffic officer.

“Interviews with traffic wardens across Islamabad reveal a common narrative: enforcement officers frequently stop teenage drivers only to be confronted by guardians who either plead ignorance or downplay the dangers involved,” says Naseeb Hasan.

“I’ve been riding my father’s motorcycle for over a year. He knows. He just tells me not to go too far. Most of my friends ride too. We learned by watching our elders,” says Naseer Zaidi, a 16-year-old from the G-9 sector. “The normalization of underage driving is reflective of a deeper cultural issue. There is a misguided perception that allowing a teenager to drive is a sign of maturity or independence. While the law is clear, societal attitudes are permissive, and that endangers everyone,” says Seemin Syed, a sociologist at a university.