MVD to keep ‘third eye’ open to jazzed-up bikes

Motorcycle alteration has become a rageamong youngsters.

Youngsters who love to zip around on jazzed-up motorcycles better be on their guard.

For, the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has taken a special liking to them and is set to keep their ‘third eye’ open to net those driving around on heavily altered motorcycles.

MVD sources said that images sent to their Whatsapp number, referred to as third eye, and footages from the surveillance cameras mounted along the national highways would be used to trap canny youngsters who otherwise manage to give the enforcement squads on the road a slip. “We will trace the number of such motorcycles with the help of images and footages and send notice to the address concerned,” sources said.

Realising that motorcycle alteration has become a rage among youngsters, the department made it one of the focal points of a special drive held in the district last week when 103 officers split into 25 teams hit the roads under the guidance of the Deputy Transport Commissioner K.G. Samuel.

Of the 1,025 cases booked, 150-odd cases were related to motorcycle alterations. Around Rs. 6.25 lakh was collected as fine. The riders have been asked to undo the alterations and produce the vehicle for inspection. Blinding headlight colour, muffler boosting the sound by many decibel levels, repositioned handlebars and mudguards, coloured indicators were some of the commonly found alterations on motorcycles. Mr. Samuel said that the department would keep the heat on those found guilty of such alterations in the coming days as well.

Underage driving, using mobile phones while driving, driving vehicles without registration, road tax, and fitness, and dangerous overtaking through the left side were some of the other offences that came under the scanner on Wednesday’s day-long drive. All officials except those needed for essential office works were deployed as part of the drive.