Parents on alert: Bengaluru sees alarming rise in accidents involving underage drivers, 706 cases in 3 years

Sharp spike in minors’ road accidents and wheeling cases prompts traffic police to warn parents against giving vehicles to underage children.

A sharp and worrying rise in road accidents involving underage drivers has triggered a strong warning from the Bengaluru Traffic Police, urging parents to strictly avoid handing over vehicles to minors. Official data reveals that the city has witnessed a steep increase in such incidents over the last three years, setting alarming records.

From 2023 to December 2025, a total of 706 cases related to underage driving were registered across Bengaluru. The year-wise data shows a consistent rise, with 95 cases recorded in 2023, which jumped to 197 in 2024, and then more than doubled to 414 cases in 2025 alone.

The trend is equally concerning when it comes to dangerous bike wheeling and reckless riding. Police records indicate 242 wheeling-related cases in 2023, which surged to 532 in 2024. In 2025, the number further climbed to 646, marking a sharp 70% increase compared to the previous year.

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A significant portion of these violations involved minors. In 2023, 70 underage riders were booked for wheeling. This number increased to 120 in 2024 and further rose to 159 in 2025. These figures highlight a growing pattern of risky behaviour among teenagers on city roads.

Taking a tough stance, traffic police have invoked provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to book not only minors but also their parents. Officials have clearly warned that parents who allow children without valid driving licences to operate vehicles will face strict legal action.

Police have also cited recent fatal accidents, including the Hoskote crash, urging families to learn from these tragedies and act responsibly. Increased night patrols, special drives, and targeted checks are being conducted to identify underage riders and habitual offenders.

Authorities emphasised that parental supervision is crucial in preventing such incidents and appealed to families to prioritise safety over convenience or social pressure.