NEW DELHI: The thrill of speed, the lure of social media validation, and the persistent illusion that “nothing will happen” — within seconds, everything can change. A disturbing pattern is emerging: fatal crashes involving young motorists, including minors, accused of reckless or negligent driving.A recent fatal crash in Goa’s Assagao has once again drawn national attention to rash driving by young individuals. A 65-year-old tourist lost his life after an SUV, allegedly driven recklessly by a 19-year-old student, collided with his car. Although the accused in this case is legally an adult, the incident has reignited wider concerns about irresponsible driving by young people — particularly minors who continue to gain access to vehicles despite strict legal provisions.The Goa crash is not an isolated case. In recent years, several similar incidents across Delhi, Pune, Kochi, Nashik and Ranchi have exposed recurring themes: excessive speed, underage drivers, weak supervision, and, in some cases, alleged attempts to shield those responsible.Goa: 19-year-old student booked in fatal SUV crash in AssagaoIn February 2026, tragedy struck Goa’s Assagao, when 65-year-old Bhagat Ram Sharma, a tourist from Bhopal, died following a collision at a junction near Happy Bar.According to reports, an SUV allegedly driven recklessly by 19-year-old BBA student Shaurya Goyal crashed into Sharma’s car. The impact proved fatal for Sharma.

Goa SUV crash: A 19-year-old BBA student, Shaurya Goyal

His wife sustained a leg fracture in the crash, while a three-month-old infant travelling with them suffered minor injuries.Police arrested Goyal and registered a case for causing death by negligence and rash driving. He was later released on bail. Authorities ruled out alcohol as a factor in the incident. The case remains under investigation.While the accused is legally an adult, the episode has amplified concerns about young motorists and their approach to speed, responsibility and road discipline.Delhi: Minor driving SUV kills motorcyclist in DwarkaIn February 2026, another fatal crash shocked the national capital. In Delhi’s Dwarka, Delhi, 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra motorcyclist was killed after a speeding SUV, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old minor, rammed into him.

Dwarka SUV crash: A 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra motorcyclis was killed after a speeding SUV, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old mino

CCTV footage, as reported by TOI, showed the SUV travelling at high speed moments before the collision. The vehicle allegedly swerved to avoid an oncoming bus before crashing head-on into the motorcycle.Police confirmed that the driver was underage and did not possess a valid driving licence. Reports further indicated that the minor may have been recording social media “reels” at the time of the incident.The minor was apprehended and sent to an observation home under the Juvenile Justice Act.The victim’s family demanded strict action and sought that the accused be tried as an adult. The case triggered widespread debate about how the legal system handles minors involved in fatal crashes and whether existing laws are sufficiently deterrent.Nashik: 16-year-old allegedly drives BMW into scooterIn January 2026, Nashik in Maharashtra witnessed another case involving a high-powered vehicle and an underage driver.A 16-year-old allegedly drove his father’s BMW at high speed and collided with a scooter carrying two 14-year-old boys.TOI reported that the crash was allegedly linked to a previous dispute between the teenagers. Police stated that the minor drove recklessly and struck the scooter from behind, injuring both riders. A case was registered under sections related to rash and negligent driving and endangering life.The incident again brought attention to the dangers posed when minors operate powerful vehicles without licences or adequate driving maturity.Pune: Kalyani Nagar Porsche case that sparked national outrageIn May 2024, a high-profile crash in Pune’s Kalyani Nagar area intensified scrutiny of juvenile driving cases.A Porsche, allegedly driven by a 17-year-old, killed two IT professionals. The incident drew nationwide outrage due to the nature of the vehicle, the age of the accused, and the developments that followed.

Pune Porsche case

According to police investigations, there were attempts to portray the family’s hired driver as the individual behind the wheel at the time of the crash. Investigators later stated that the driver was allegedly pressured to take responsibility.Subsequently, the minor’s father and grandfather were arrested in connection with the alleged tampering of evidence.The case not only raised questions about juvenile culpability but also highlighted concerns about influence, accountability, and the vulnerability of hired drivers in high-profile investigations involving affluent families.Kochi: 15-year-old’s alleged reckless driving along Vypeen–Munambam stretchIn November 2025, another alarming case emerged from Kerala’s Kochi, a 15-year-old allegedly drove a car recklessly along the Vypeen–Munambam stretch. According to TOI, the minor rammed into multiple vehicles and knocked down an elderly pedestrian at Edavanakkad.Three other minors were reportedly inside the vehicle at the time.Police registered a case for rash and negligent driving. The boy’s father was also booked under the Motor Vehicles Act for permitting underage driving.Authorities stated that a detailed report was being submitted to the Motor Vehicles Department. The case underlined a recurring issue — minors continuing to gain access to vehicles owned by parents or relatives despite clear legal prohibitions.Ranchi: Minor crashes suv into divider and electric poleIn June 2025, in Jharkhand’s Ranchi, a 17-year-old crashed an SUV into a road divider and an electric pole in a busy area.According to TOI, the vehicle was allegedly being driven at excessive speed when the driver lost control. The crash dislodged the SUV’s front wheel.The minor sustained minor injuries. Police seized the vehicle and registered a case for reckless driving.Though this crash did not result in fatalities, it reinforced concerns about high-speed driving by minors and the risks posed to public safety.Why this pattern continues to repeatAcross Delhi, Goa, Pune, Kochi, Nashik and Ranchi, common elements emerge:Easy access to vehiclesMany minors gain access to cars owned by parents or relatives. In several cases, guardians are booked only after accidents occur.Social media influenceThe pressure to create viral content — including high-speed “reels” — can encourage reckless behaviour behind the wheel.Thrill-seeking behaviourAdolescents and young adults are generally more prone to risk-taking due to psychological and developmental factors.Lack of supervisionIn multiple cases, parents or guardians face consequences only after tragedy strikes.Perceived immunityA dangerous belief that “nothing will happen” — or that consequences can be managed later — appears to persist among some young drivers.Preventive measures: What authorities and experts recommendExperts and law enforcement officials consistently emphasise stronger preventive steps:Strict enforcementZero tolerance for underage driving. Immediate legal action against guardians who permit minors to drive.Parental accountabilityVehicle owners must ensure that keys are not accessible to minors and that legal driving age rules are strictly followed.Digital awareness campaignsCampaigns should highlight the real-life consequences of reckless driving instead of glamorising speed and risky stunts online.Road safety educationMandatory road safety programmes in schools and colleges can improve awareness among adolescents before they gain access to vehicles.Community vigilanceMembers of the public should promptly report instances of reckless or underage driving to authorities.A recurring tragedyEach crash began like any other ordinary day — a holiday trip, a routine commute, a short ride across town. None was meant to end in injury, loss, or national outrage. Yet the pattern keeps repeating: speed, inexperience, easy access to vehicles, and misplaced confidence. Roads do not forgive recklessness. Speed may thrill for seconds, but the consequences last forever.