Kerala’s road tragedies: A crisis of values and responsibility

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Two fatal accidents involving luxury cars driven by underage boys expose the dangerous consequences of entitlement, parental negligence and the erosion of social ethics

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KERALA, which prides itself on its literacy and social progress, has been jolted by two fatal road accidents involving luxury cars allegedly driven by underage boys within a fortnight. These tragedies raise disturbing questions about not just road safety but also the state's social fabric, parental responsibility and the moral values being passed on to the next generation.

On October 11, a speeding Mini Cooper allegedly driven by a 19-year-old killed three young people travelling on a scooter near Nedumbassery. On October 25, a Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by a 17-year-old struck and killed Jayabalakrishnan, who was returning home after closing his small eatery in Kochi.

Behind these incidents lie shattered families, lost livelihoods and irreversible grief. The victims were ordinary people going about their lives, whose right to return home safely was tragically taken away.

The issue is not the ownership of luxury cars but the attitude that may accompany privilege—the belief that money, family status or influence can place someone above the rules.

When expensive vehicles become symbols of status and youthful bravado rather than responsibility, the consequences can be fatal. A powerful car in the hands of an unqualified or immature driver endangers not only its occupants but also every innocent person sharing the road.

These incidents demand an uncomfortable question: Are some parents providing their children with material privileges without adequately teaching them discipline, restraint and respect for human life?

Parenthood is not merely about providing the best education, expensive possessions and a comfortable lifestyle. It is also about instilling values, enforcing boundaries and ensuring that children understand the consequences of their actions. Allowing a minor to drive unlawfully—or failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent it—can have devastating consequences.

The most serious effect of such incidents is the erosion of public confidence in equality before the law. When people suspect that the wealthy or influential may escape consequences that ordinary citizens would face, resentment grows and trust in institutions weakens.

Academic achievement and material prosperity mean little if they are not accompanied by ethical conduct. Social progress must be measured not only by living standards, but also by how people treat others and whether they respect the rules that protect everyone.

The authorities must investigate these cases impartially, establish the facts and ensure that responsibility is determined through due legal process. The Motor Vehicles Act provides for action against guardians or vehicle owners in specified circumstances involving offences by juveniles. Where applicable, these provisions must be enforced without fear or favour.

Families, educational institutions and society at large must recognise that road safety begins with character and responsibility. Young people must understand that maturity is demonstrated not by the car they drive or the wealth they display, but by their ability to make responsible choices.

The media and civil society must also sustain public scrutiny without sensationalism or prejudging those under investigation.

The deaths near Nedumbassery and in Kochi must not become fleeting headlines. They should prompt a serious reassessment of the values being nurtured in Kerala's homes and communities.

A society is not judged by the luxury its privileged members enjoy, but by the safety and dignity it guarantees to ordinary citizens. If material prosperity comes at the cost of compassion, discipline and accountability, the price is ultimately paid by society as a whole.

Kerala must confront this moral crisis before more innocent lives are lost. No amount of wealth can compensate a family for the loss of a loved one, and no display of privilege should ever place anyone above the law.