“Big wheels” driven by small ones: Tragic accident in Navoi involving a teen driver

In Navoi, a road patrol inspector tragically lost his life after being struck by a car driven by a school student. According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the incident occurred on January 19 at 1:45 a.m. The accident took place on Islam Karimov Street in Navoi when the inspector signaled a Kia Sonet vehicle, which was driving without license plates and violating traffic rules, to stop. The driver ignored the signal, drove in the opposite direction, and struck the inspector before fleeing the scene. The inspector, Jasurjon Muhammadov, died on the spot. A swift investigation revealed that the Kia Sonet was driven by a school student born in 2008, and the vehicle belonged to his father. The car was located in a hiding place and subsequently impounded. The deceased inspector, Jasurjon Muhammadov, was born in 1993 and was the father of two children. He had been serving in the internal affairs system since 2017. This incident highlights a broader concern. Every year, approximately 1.2 million people lose their lives in road accidents globally, with about 50 million suffering severe injuries, many resulting in permanent disabilities. Notably, teenagers are a significant contributing factor to these statistics, often due to reckless or unauthorized driving.

Student drivers: A growing concern for public safety

Instances of minors driving vehicles are raising serious safety concerns in society. Accidents involving young, unlicensed drivers not only jeopardize their own lives but also endanger those around them. There have been numerous examples highlighting the severity of this issue. On August 9, 2024, in Jomboy, a 4-year-old boy tragically lost his life in an accident caused by a school student. Similarly, on October 17 in Samarkand, a car accident involving a 7th-grade student driving a "Jiguli" resulted in the vehicle falling into a roadside ditch. The student later succumbed to injuries in the hospital. While minors may have a natural curiosity about driving, age restrictions for obtaining a driver's license are strictly regulated by law to account for the physical and mental maturity required for safe driving. According to paragraph 149 of the Cabinet of Ministers' resolution “On the Approval of Traffic Rules”, the minimum age requirements for driving are as follows:  

- Category "A" (motorcycles): 16 years  
- Categories "B" and "C" (passenger cars and trucks): 18 years  
- Categories "BE" and "CE" (vehicles with trailers): 19 years  
- Categories "D" and "DE" (buses, trams, and trolleybuses): 21 years  

Despite these legal provisions, many minors attempt to drive vehicles before reaching the required age, often motivated by a desire to impress their peers. Parents play a crucial role in preventing such incidents. A lack of supervision and enforcement of boundaries allows underage driving to occur, indirectly contributing to these tragedies. Greater awareness and responsibility among families and society are essential to addressing this growing issue.

Juvenile criminals: The growing influence of social media and underage driving

In the 21st century, social media has become a significant influence, particularly on teenagers. Role-playing videos by popular bloggers or social media personalities often glorify risky behaviors, such as driving, which young people may seek to imitate. While disclaimers like “Do not attempt” are often included, they are frequently ignored or not taken seriously by impressionable viewers. When QALAMPIR.UZ requested statistics on traffic accidents caused by minors in 2024, the Traffic Safety Department (YHXBB) directed the inquiry to the Statistics Agency. However, the agency stated that the relevant data had not yet been compiled and would be published at a later date. As such, we must rely on data from 2023 to analyze the situation.

In 2023, over 104,000 crimes were recorded in Uzbekistan, with minors accounting for 4% (3,559 cases). Alarmingly, this figure has shown a steady increase over the past five years. Individuals under 18 are more likely to commit crimes such as theft, hooliganism, fraud, robbery, and assault. However, traffic accidents caused by minors often have the gravest consequences, frequently resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.  

For instance, in Namangan, a group of school and technical college students rented a Gentra car and lost control at high speed, colliding with an oncoming truck. Of the five children in the car, three tragically lost their lives. This is not an isolated incident. On the eve of the "Last Bell" celebration, two students in Navoi died in an accident after losing control of a rented Matiz car.  

Such tragedies underscore the dangers of underage driving and the risks associated with unsupervised access to vehicles. As the influence of social media continues to grow, the need for stricter oversight, education, and parental involvement becomes increasingly urgent. Society must address this alarming trend to safeguard the lives of young people and those around them.

Legal consequences of underage driving: A growing concern

In 2023, the Senate's Committee on Defense and Security reported alarming figures regarding traffic safety in Uzbekistan. A total of 9,839 road accidents occurred nationwide, resulting in 9,209 injuries and 2,282 fatalities. Additionally, over 16 million traffic violations were recorded, including more than 13 million gross infractions, approximately 42,000 cases of driving under the influence, and over 300,000 pedestrian violations. 

Globally, car accidents remain the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5 to 29, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A 2017 study by the American Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that teenagers aged 16-17 are the most frequent culprits in accidents, while drivers aged 60-69 are the least involved. These findings underscore the heightened risks posed by young, inexperienced drivers.

Minors who break traffic laws face legal consequences that can have lasting effects on their future. Uzbekistan’s legal system recognizes the unique circumstances of crimes committed by minors and applies tailored penalties outlined in Article 81 of the Criminal Code, including:  

- Fines  
- Mandatory community service  
- Corrective labor  
- Restrictions on freedom  
- Deprivation of liberty  

These punishments are determined based on the type and severity of the offense. Notably, additional penalties and harsher measures are not applied to minors, ensuring a more rehabilitative approach.  

Underage driving represents not only a legal violation but also a grave threat to public safety. Tackling this issue requires collective action from all sectors of society—law enforcement, schools, parents, and the youth themselves. Awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of age-related driving laws, and proactive parental involvement are essential to address this pressing concern.

By working together, it is possible to preserve the safety and lives of young people while fostering a culture of accountability and responsibility.

                                                                                                                                                                        Iqbol Ergashova