5 minor bikers held, over Rs 1 lakh fine imposed for flouting MV rules

Chatra: The district administration on Wednesday carried out a vehicle-inspection drive at Simaria to enforce road safety by acting against traffic violators, particularly cases involving underage riders.District transport officer-cum- subdivisional officer Maheshwari Prasad led the drive, which was carried out near Rajya Samposhit Plus Two High School, where action was taken against riders without valid driving licence, without helmets and underage riders. During the campaign, challans were issued to 21 riders for not wearing helmets, and the authorities collected a total fine of Rs 21,000.Officials also seized five motorcycles being driven by minors under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act and handed them over to Simaria police station. A penalty of Rs 25,000 was imposed on each vehicle, taking the total fine amount to Rs 1.25 lakh.Prasad said, “Legal action would also be initiated against parents or vehicle owners who allow children below 18 years of age to ride motorcycles. In such cases, the owner or guardian of the vehicle would be held responsible and could face a fine of up to Rs 25,000 along with imprisonment of up to three years under the provisions of the law.”