The roads of Tengpora, Srinagar, were silent witnesses to a devastating accident on November 14, 2024. A group of teenagers, all Class 11 students, took to the streets in SUVs for what they thought would be an adrenaline-filled race. It ended in disaster when one of the vehicles, a Mahindra Thar, lost control and crashed into a parked truck. Two young lives were tragically cut short, and another is still fighting for survival. The accident was captured on CCTV, a chilling reminder of the consequences of reckless driving. The incident has sparked grief, anger, and frustration among the public. Many are questioning why such dangerous behavior was not curbed before tragedy struck. It’s not the absence of laws—underage driving is illegal—but the lack of consistent enforcement that allowed these minors to be behind the wheel of powerful vehicles. In the wake of the accident, traffic authorities have acted swiftly, seizing vehicles driven by minors and issuing public warnings. SSP Traffic Muzaffar Ahmad Shah has urged parents and schools to take responsibility and ensure that minors are not given access to vehicles. But this tragedy is more than just a traffic violation gone wrong—it is a symptom of a governance system that often reacts to crises rather than preventing them. Why must it take loss of life to initiate meaningful change?
“The loss of two young lives in Tengpora is a tragedy that could have been prevented. It’s a stark reminder of the cost of complacency. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and for those in positions of power, this must be a turning point—one that drives a proactive, preventive approach to safety and governance. Only then can we hope to prevent such heartbreak in the future”.
This approach leaves families grieving and communities asking what more could have been done. Preventing such incidents requires a shift in mindset from all stakeholders. The government must enforce laws rigorously and consistently. Schools should integrate road safety education into their curriculum, and parents need to take a firm stand against allowing underage driving. Public awareness campaigns should go beyond posters and slogans, reaching communities through grassroots engagement. The loss of two young lives in Tengpora is a tragedy that could have been prevented. It’s a stark reminder of the cost of complacency. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and for those in positions of power, this must be a turning point—one that drives a proactive, preventive approach to safety and governance. Only then can we hope to prevent such heartbreak in the future
( The author is pursuing B Sc-Biotech At S P College Srinagar .The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
Faheem-Hilal
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