ગુજરાતી
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Gujarat teenagers lead the country in illegal driving
Dilip Patel
Ahmedabad, January 27, 2026
Gujarat was ranked seventh in the country for the crime of driving by minors. Now, in 2025, figures have emerged from Ahmedabad that will place Gujarat at the top of the list nationwide. If a genuine effort is made to curb underage driving across the country, it will be proven that the highest number of minors driving are in this state.
The Ahmedabad City Traffic Department caught 5,835 minors driving illegally in 2025. Fines amounting to Rs. 21.11 lakh were imposed on them. In 2024, 11 minors were caught driving, and fines of Rs. 33,000 were imposed.
In 2023, 23 cases of accidents caused by minors were registered. While in 2024, minors registered 25 crimes. In 2025, 5 crimes were registered in which minors caused accidents.
In terms of accidents caused by underage drivers in 2023-24, Gujarat ranks seventh in the country. The state witnessed 727 accidents caused by underage drivers in one year.
In India
According to the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) in India, a total of 11,890 accidents involving minors were reported in the country in 2023 and 2024.
Tamil Nadu topped the list with 2063 accidents. In Tamil Nadu, 204 cases were registered in 2023 and 269 in 2024. 41 challans were issued in 2024 and 80 challans were issued against the parents of underage drivers.
Madhya Pradesh was second with 1,138 cases and Maharashtra was third with 1,067 cases. Bihar issued the highest number of challans (1,316), generating revenue of ₹44.27 lakh.
In 2023, 2,537 children died while driving (without a license), meaning approximately 7 underage drivers lost their lives every day. 4,242 children died in accidents as passengers, while 2,232 children were killed in road accidents while walking.
Parents are also held responsible in accidents involving minors. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, if a vehicle is given to a minor and an accident occurs, their guardian can be fined up to ₹500. A fine of ₹25,000 and 3 years imprisonment is also possible. In addition, monetary fines and imprisonment can be imposed. This applies even if they are under 18 years of age when given the vehicle to drive.
Ahmedabad
In Ahmedabad, incidents of minors under 18 years of age driving at high speeds on the roads have become fatal. The police conducted strict checks outside schools and tuition classes.
In 2025, there were 2 accidents in which children were victims. The Ahmedabad city traffic police registered 13 FIRs in cases of underage driving by minors.
In 2024, the Ahmedabad Traffic Department cancelled 600 driving licenses of minors. This included license suspensions in 44 cases of fatal accidents. Licenses of 120 drivers were suspended for overspeeding. Licenses were suspended in 270 cases of dangerous driving and 50 cases of not wearing a helmet. Notices were issued to 50 people. If no response is received, licenses are cancelled within 3 to 6 months.
In Ahmedabad city, 1277 people died in 3899 accidents of all types over 33 years. Of these, 70 percent of accidents, or 2,730 accidents, were due to overspeeding. In the last one and a half years, the traffic police registered 91,000 cases of overspeeding and imposed fines worth ₹18.58 crore.
In Uttar Pradesh, a fine of ₹25,000 is imposed if a minor is caught driving.
New Scheme
To prevent fatal road accidents by 2026, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that technology is being developed that will allow vehicles to exchange data wirelessly with each other. Drivers will be informed before an accident occurs.
Vehicles will remain connected to each other through high-speed radio signals. If the car in front suddenly brakes or a tire bursts, an alert will appear on the dashboard of the car behind within milliseconds.
This technology will prove to be a game-changer in preventing major accidents like ‘chain collisions’ on highways.
Permission has been granted to allocate the 30 GHz radio frequency band. This system works directly on radio signals without mobile internet.
Traffic signals and cameras will communicate with vehicles. Smart traffic management will reduce traffic congestion and save fuel. It can be installed in older vehicles. It will be built into newly launched vehicles.
Impact on Children
In 2019, in all types of accidents, 600 children under the age of 13 were killed and 91,000 were injured in motor vehicle accidents. Of those who died, 43 percent were between 8 and 12 years old, 41 percent were between 4 and 7 years old, and 27 percent were under 4 years old.
Alcohol as a Cause
In 2019, in the country, 23 percent of deaths among children under 15 years of age were due to drunk driving. Of these deaths, 64 percent were due to the child’s own driver. 58 percent of the children were unharmed. (Google translation from Gujarati)
