Hyderabad: Bike racing high on weekends

Hyderabad: With the number of imported vehicles increasing, there is rise in illegal racing in Hyderabad. The betting races are mostly held on ORR and outskirts of the city, lately, the dangerous drag competitions are also seen around KBR national park during the nights on weekends.

Imported racing bikes and cars in the city are seen zooming on main roads and highways by violating traffic rules. In 2019, 29 racers were arrested, and their vehicles were seized for dangerous driving, around 65 sports vehicles were seized in the latest three years.

It was found that youngsters and college students aged between 18 and 24 were organising race events through whatsapp groups and indulge in betting with huge amounts in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,00,000.

"Bike racing activities are increasing year on year. In 2017, 19 bikes were caught and in 2019, 29 bikes were caught for rash and negligent driving near KBR Park Banjara Hills," said K Srinivas Rao, ACP, Banjara Hills.

"Racing activities are observed mostly on weekends and holidays. Not only adults, minors are also participating in the drag races with high end imported bikes and cars. In the name of racing, youngsters were indulging in rash driving putting theirs and others' lives in danger, he added.

In 2019, 3,71,065 challans were issued or violating speed measures and dangerous drivibng on ORR.

Recently in February two sports cars were seized on PVNR for negligent driving during racing. Two cars were caught for participating in racing competition from Shamshabad towards Mehdipatnam said G Suresh, Station House officer, Rajendra Nagar.

Criminal cases to be booked If the similar violation is found by the same person repeatedly, Hyderabad police would be registering criminal case against the violator.

Yearly once, Hyderabad city police conducts special drives to catch the illegal racers in the city.

Vehicles caught in the drive would be seized permanently and cases would be registered under section 184 and 189 of MV Act. Court would be punishing with a penalty of Rs 1000 to Rs 10,000 or imprisonment of 3 days to one month depending on the violation and importantly, violators would be asked to appear for counselling along with their parents.