Surkhandarya resident penalized for letting underage son drive Chevrolet Tracker

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Traffic safety officials in the Surkhandarya region have taken administrative action against a woman who allowed her underage son to drive a Chevrolet Tracker and subsequently posted a video of the drive on social media.

According to the regional Traffic Safety Department, the video caused a significant public backlash online. An investigation revealed that the individual behind the wheel was a minor, who had been permitted to operate the vehicle by his 38-year-old mother, a resident of the Uzun district in the Surkhandarya region.

The woman and her son were summoned to the regional Traffic Safety Department, where officials conducted a preventive counseling session with them.

During the conversation with the teenager, traffic officers inquired who had taught him how to drive, to which the schoolboy replied that his mother had taught him. When asked about his schooling, the boy shared that he was entering the seventh grade. He admitted that he does not like any school subjects, noting that his primary interest is money. When officers pointed out that an education is necessary to earn a living, the teenager replied that, in his opinion, "earning money is not hard."

Addressing the mother, traffic safety officers emphasized that by handing over the steering wheel to a minor, she put her own life, her son's life, and the safety of other road users at risk. Furthermore, they pointed out that during the trip, both the mother and the child were distracted by a mobile phone, which further increased the risk of a traffic accident.

Department officials stressed that minors lack the necessary knowledge of traffic regulations and are legally prohibited from operating motor vehicles. They added that such actions could instill a false sense of permissibility in a child, leading to far more severe consequences in the future.

During the session, the woman was reminded that a child's responsibilities include studying, gaining knowledge, resting, participating in sports, and helping the family—not driving a car.

Following the inquiry, an administrative protocol was drawn up against the woman under Article 47 (failure to fulfill obligations in the upbringing and education of children) and part two of Article 135 (allowing a person without a driving license to manage a vehicle) of the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Liability.

The woman acknowledged her mistake and stated that she would not allow such behavior to happen again. She admitted she had mistakenly believed the situation was under control simply because she was sitting next to the child during the drive. "This will not happen again, I understand everything now," she said.