Police patrol: Exposing the lethal thrills of road racing

August 28, 2014 02:02 am | Updated November 16, 2021 05:40 pm IST

Rash riding and road racing go hand in hand for most young roadies in the city. This on-road ‘audacity’ is a dreaded combination that cops are keen on targetting. But with fast motorcycles in the market and speed enhancement equipment available over the counter, how much can they succeed?

On July 26, a teenager died while speeding to the Marina to flaunt his brand new motorcycle in front of friends. While some argue it was road racing, police records say speeding caused the crash. He was on a bike with a 150 cc engine churning out 17 bhp.

City police records show that 22 youngsters were jailed in 457 cases in 2013 for street racing and rash riding, while the figures for 2014 have escalated to 41 from 634 cases. Even as police attempt to pin down speed-crazy and thrill-seeking bikers, the latter have no difficulty finding new racing circuits.

And technology often aggravates the situation. The days of boosting one’s motorcycle for speed and pickup have passed with new models offering variants with engine power and enhanced acceleration. And in case parents may not encourage the buying of a fast ride, a variety of speed enhancement kits and air filters capable of delivering deafening noise are available. While strict law enforcement by police is a vital step in curbing this menace, awareness on the dangers of this outrageous on-road practice must originate from home and school.

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