A teenager who is found driving without a licence or is involved in an accident should not try to flee the spot or ask another motorist to ‘replace him’ at the wheel as doing so will add to the offences already committed, a senior Traffic Department official has advised.
Captain Ali al-Aswad, director of the Madinat Khalifa Traffic Investigation Department, made the observation while speaking at a forum held yesterday on the topic ‘Driving without licence: reality, risks and solutions.’
The event was organised by the Juvenile Police Department in co-operation with the Traffic Department Awareness Office. It took place at the headquarters of the Traffic Department in the presence of a considerable number of local school students. Besides Captain al-Aswad, speakers at the forum were Captain Shaheen Rashid al-Atiq, head of the awareness and media section at the Juvenile Police Department; First Lieutenant Fahd Mubarak al-Abdallah, head of traffic education and awareness; and Khalid BuMuzah, a religious scholar.
The forum focused on the risks involved in, and legal consequences, of teenagers driving their parents’ vehicles without a licence. First Lieutenant al-Abdallah stressed that the Traffic Department exerts great efforts to reach out to both parents and teenagers at different locations, including lounging areas in their residences, camping sites and schools, where the issue is addressed in a relaxed and friendly manner.
He said the main target is to enhance awareness of the risks posed by the practice of teenagers driving without a licence to individuals and the community, and it also constitutes a serious ethical and legal breach.
Captain al-Aswad stressed that if a teenager is found (by a traffic patrol) to be driving without a licence or gets involved in a road accident, he should not try to escape or ask some other motorist to ‘replace him’, as this will add to the violations that have already been committed by the youngster. Besides, the Traffic Department has several investigative tools at its disposal to identify who was actually driving the vehicle.
In such cases, all legal procedures would be taken against the violator while preserving his right to get proper treatment, it was observed,
Captain al-Aswad, however, warned that the vehicle involved could be impounded for an extended period depending on the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Captain al-Atiq said all stakeholders, including parents, schools, the media and teenagers, have a joint responsibility when it comes to the issue of driving by teens. In particular, he stressed the vital role of parents in exercising greater control on their children in this respect.
Similarly, BuMozah pointed out that parents should discuss the issue openly with their children based on the principle of respecting the laws and regulations of the country as these are aimed at ensuring the good of all.
The participating students were given an opportunity to voice their questions and discuss their views on the issue.
A number of school students were present at the event along with officials.
