Underage Driver Kills One, Injures Three in Lahore Motorcycle Collision
LAHORE: In another tragic case of reckless underage driving, at least one person was killed and three others were injured when an underage driver ran over three motorcycles in Lahore’s Shahdara area.
According to the police, the accident happened when the underage driver — identified as Hashir — lost control of his car and crashed into three motorcycles. The reckless driving incident resulted in the death of 30-year-old Muhammad Amin, whose brother later lodged an official complaint leading to the registration of the case.
Police confirmed that Hashir has been arrested and charged for reckless driving and causing loss of life and injury due to negligence.
IG Punjab Orders Crackdown on Underage Drivers
Taking notice of the incident, Inspector General (IG) of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, expressed strong disapproval of the growing number of traffic accidents caused by unlicensed underage drivers.
In a statement, IG Punjab directed all traffic and district police officials to intensify crackdowns on underage driving across the province. He stressed that minors without valid driving licenses must not be allowed behind the wheel under any circumstances.
He also instructed that strict action be taken against the parents of minors who allow their children to drive illegally. IG Punjab reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards overspeeding, overloading, and one-way traffic violations, which continue to pose threats to road safety.
To strengthen enforcement, the IG ordered the use of Safe City cameras to monitor and identify underage drivers and other traffic violators more effectively.
Underage Driving Remains a Persistent Problem
Underage driving has been a serious issue in Lahore and other parts of Punjab, often resulting in deadly accidents that claim innocent lives. In November 2023, Lahore witnessed a horrific accident when an underage driver killed six members of a family, including two women and two infants, sparking widespread outrage.
Following that tragedy, Lahore Traffic Police launched multiple crackdowns to curb underage driving, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
Courts and Police Face Challenges
In an earlier ruling, the Lahore High Court (LHC) barred authorities from detaining underage drivers in police lockups and instructed police not to register cases solely for license violations. The LHC directed that minors caught driving should instead be released on bail.
This legal nuance has made it harder for law enforcement to maintain strict action against underage drivers, despite repeated public safety concerns.
A Call for Parental Responsibility
Officials continue to urge parents to take responsibility for ensuring that their children do not drive until they are legally eligible and properly licensed. Authorities believe that without active parental control and community awareness, such tragic incidents will persist.
As the crackdown intensifies, Punjab Police is expected to ramp up road monitoring, conduct awareness campaigns, and ensure that both parents and minors face consequences for violating traffic laws.
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