Campaign to rein in stunt riding craze

Chandrayangutta: The road stretch from Phisalbanda to Chandrayangutta has become a latest avenue for the stunt riders. The reopening of the educational institutions has prompted youngsters and minors to regroup and to put their lives in danger with so-called daredevil stunts.

The number of young riders who is not only risking their lives, but also that of others is only growing by the day. The favorite places for the stunt riders were restricted to the Necklace Road, along with some other places in the new city areas. But now, these daredevil stunts have spread to the entire city where there are wider roads.

Especially, the stretch from Owaisi Hospital Junction DMRL X Road to Chandrayangutta in the Old City has seen a meteoric surge recently in this activity. The riders are seen performing rash and reckless stunts like standing on bikes, performing wheelies and skidding on roads, putting their and others lives at risk.

The stretch is being used for daredevil stunts by the young riders specially the age group from 16 to 22 years. These are mostly students from degree and junior colleges and some are even young (school-going kids).

"Police must apprehend them and counsel them over safe riding on roads. Their parents must know what kind of thrills their children do. But unfortunately, the police are seen busy in issuing challans for helmetless riders, signal jumping and underage driving. They should even conduct drive against the stunt riders. Traffic police need to shift their focus on such riders for maintaining accident-free roads," said Mohammed Muzammiluddin, a commuter.

Mohammed Rafeeq, a readymade garment shop owner, said that he been observing two to three youngsters doing these activities for the last 10 days. They started performing these stunts since the school and colleges reopened. Many others are also encouraged by these daredevil stunts. "When I questioned them, they said that bike riding and performing daredevil stunts have become a passion for them," he added.

According to police officials, they have been booking cases against rash driving and under-aged driving, but that does not have any effect on the 'stunt' riders. They said that road is meant for smooth traffic flow. Therefore, they would not tolerate any traffic violations. Recently in a special drive conducted across the city, the police have booked cases against 200 minors.

CH Nagender, Falaknuma inspector, said that the Falaknuma Traffic Police are conducting a special drive in the last 3 to 4 days against rash riding and stunt riding on the stretch. He also said that particularly in the police station limits regular drive is being undertaken and cases are being booked. "For rash riding, a total of 9 cases were booked, for triple riding 8 cases, for minor riding, a total of 14 cases and for driving without license, a total of 8 cases were booked in these days," the officer said.

By MM Farooqui