Team Herald
PANJIM: A juvenile, who was caught driving a vehicle and obstructing an ambulance in April last year, will not be eligible for applying for learner’s licence until he attains the age of 25 years.
Informing this to media persons, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said that a video of a speeding vehicle obstructing the ambulance along the Velsao, Cansaulim road had gone viral on social media and published in Herald in April last year. The ambulance was carrying a patient who required urgent medical attention and the vehicle driver despite blowing siren did not allow the ambulance to overtake thereby putting the patient’s life in danger.
Following this, the Verna Police investigated the matter and registered a case against a 17-year-old boy from Rivona, for driving the vehicle without obtaining the motor driving licence.
The Verna Police also attached the vehicle, which was released after almost four months by the Vasco court on August 24, 2020.
Quepem Assistant Director of Transport and licensing authority Sandeep Dessai issued a show cause notice to the registered vehicle owner Jony Lobo asking him to remain present for inquiry. However, Jony’s mother informed that her son was working in UK and remained present along with her minor grandson for hearing. She told the inquiry officer that her grandson took the car without informing her.
The assistant director held that the minor boy had committed offence under Section 199-A(5) of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and that he shall not be eligible to be granted a driving licence till he attains the age of 25 years. There is need for deterrent punishment of such offenders, Dessai said in his order.
