: Rise in traffic rule violations by children has forced the authorities to initiate new measures to curb the practice of adolescents taking the wheel.

Apart from slapping fines, adolescent drivers were given a day’s training at the State Government’s Institute of Driver Training and Research (IDTR) at Edappal last week.

This is the first time that the Juvenile Justice Board has conducted an awareness programme as a corrective measure against road traffic violations.

The increasing number of death of children in road accidents and rise in traffic offences have been a matter of concern. Twenty-two children were killed in road accidents in the district in 2012, 23 in 2013 and 33 in 2014. As many as 18 children have lost their lives on the roads so far this year. The number of children who suffered grievous injuries in road accidents is much more. In one case, a 13-year-old boy was found to be at the wheel with his father seated beside him.

The Juvenile Justice Board sent 31 children in conflict with law (CCL) for the day’s training, which, according to the district’s Child Protection Unit officials, had made a great impact in their attitude to road safety. “The peculiar social set-up in Malappuram district where the head of the family works abroad and young children manage the home is a major reason for the increasing involvement of children in road traffic violations,” said Sameer Machingal, District Child Protection Officer. Peer group pressure on children and parental misconceptions about yielding to children’s demands have contributed to the rise in traffic offences. “Paying fine is no issue for them. Educating them is the best way,” said RTO M.P. Ajit Kumar.