SHILLONG: The East Khasi Hills police have issued a stern warning that parents who allow their children to ride battery-operated toy vehicles on public roads will be prosecuted, with penalties including a fine of ₹25,000.
The warning follows the circulation of a video earlier this week showing a child, estimated to be between four and six years old, riding a mini bike along a National Highway, raising serious safety concerns.
Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said such actions not only endanger the life of the child but also violate Section 4 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which prohibits underage driving. He pointed out that young children lack the necessary judgement to understand traffic signals, lane discipline, and blind spots.
“The small size of these bikes makes them less visible to other drivers, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Even a minor collision can result in serious injuries,” he said.
Reiterating the legal provisions, the police stated that no individual below the age of 18 is permitted to ride or drive independently on public roads. Children may only use such battery-operated vehicles under strict adult supervision in safe, enclosed areas such as parks, playgrounds, or residential compounds.
The SP further warned that Shillong Traffic Police will take cognizance of such violations, and parents will be prosecuted under Section 199A of the Motor Vehicles Act (amended in 2019), which carries a penalty of ₹25,000 along with imprisonment of up to three years.
