Visakhapatnam: Police step up vigil to check bike racing, betting

Visakhapatnam: 'Speed thrills but kills' goes the saying. Despite the risk factor involved in over-speeding, not many appear to pay heed to the caution boards or the police who have been creating awareness of its implications.

As a part of intensifying their campaign against speed driving and racing, the city police are paying special attention to those driving their vehicles at high speed and indulging in bike racing and betting. To reach out to the youth and educate them on the impact of the over-speeding, the police department has come up with a 1.47-minute-long video recently. With a parent sharing the pain of losing her 19-year-old son in a road accident, the video also comprises the Commissioner of Police Manish Kumar Sinha's message. "You are an asset to your family, society and country. Do not lose your life with the thrill of speed. Be responsible citizens. 'Arrive alive' as your safety is our concern and Vizag police are always with you," says the CP in the short video.

Increased surveillance is in place in areas where there is a scope for rash driving and speeding. Racing is a common sight along the stretches of BRTS road, Beach Road, National Highway and outskirts of the city.

Depending on the speed the vehicle travels, fines are being charged. The penalty ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 per violator. Using interceptor vehicles and laser speed guns, the police are keeping a tab on the speeding vehicles. In addition, FIRs are being registered against those exceeding speed limits. In some cases, vehicles are also being seized. Already, 220 cases were registered against violators and 211 bikes were seized as part of the special drive of the police that began in the recent past.

Despite repeated warnings and a massive awareness drive, many continue to indulge in over speeding. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Aishwarya Rastogi mentioned that some of the riders in the city have created a WhatsApp group to indulge in bike racing and betting. Alerts will be sent to their friends when cops monitor the speed at junctions. The DCP warned that strict action will be taken against violators.

Sharing details, ADCP (Traffic) Ch Adinarayana says, "Many youngsters demand their parents to invest in two-wheelers with high engine capacity. Instead of dissuading from such indulgence, parents volunteer to provide access to high-end vehicles for their wards. This is one of the reasons for fatal road mishaps. Apart from the youth, counselling is also given to the parents."

Rash driving not only puts the rider at risk but also the road users. Adherence to traffic protocols and self-discipline go a long way in bringing down fatal road accidents.