AZE.US
Minors riding mopeds and motorcycles are increasingly seen on the streets of Baku and other cities in Azerbaijan, especially during the summer months. Videos shared on social media sometimes show teenagers aged 14 to 17 riding at high speed, performing dangerous maneuvers and creating risky situations on the road.
Such cases are not only traffic violations, but also a serious safety concern. Inexperienced riders are more likely to be involved in accidents, which may endanger both their own lives and the lives of other road users.
Many people are now asking a legal question: if a minor riding a moped or motorcycle causes an accident, who is responsible? The teenager, the parents or the owner of the vehicle?
Lawyer Ruslan Mustafayev told Bizim.Media that in Azerbaijan, a Category A driving license is required to operate motorcycles and mopeds. Under the law, a citizen can obtain this license only after turning 18.
“Despite the requirements of Azerbaijani legislation, we see cases where people under the age of 18 ride motorcycles and mopeds. In some cases, this can lead to serious consequences,” Mustafayev said.
He noted that the risk of accidents is higher when a vehicle is operated by a minor or by someone without a driving license.
According to Mustafayev, if an accident occurs in such a situation, the material responsibility falls on the minor’s parents.
The lawyer also said the number of people using mopeds and motorcycles has increased in recent years. This is linked to traffic congestion and other objective and subjective factors. However, the growing popularity of such vehicles does not remove the obligation to follow traffic rules.
Mustafayev reminded that giving a vehicle to a person who does not have the legal right to drive is itself a violation. Such an action is punishable under Azerbaijan’s Code of Administrative Offenses.
“We call on citizens to be very careful in this matter,” he said.
Another issue is how traffic police can determine the age of a rider if the person is wearing a helmet.
According to the lawyer, motorcycle and moped riders must use helmets. At the same time, identifying a person wearing a helmet can be difficult.
Mustafayev said that special technical tools may be used for this purpose in the future. However, he noted that such technical capabilities are currently not available in this format.
As a result, if a minor rides a moped or motorcycle, responsibility may fall not only on the teenager and the parents, but also on the person who handed over the vehicle. Lawyers warn that this practice is dangerous and can lead to serious consequences on the road.
AZE.US