On Monday, Chennai traffic police arrested three minors for racing on bikes.
It is reportedly the first time that minors have been arrested for the offence.
According to the police, around 3 p.m., the arrested persons, who are school and college students, were racing on high-speed bikes from a point near the DGP office on Radhakrishnan Salai to the end of Mahatma Gandhi Road in Nungambakkam.
A special team was formed to nab the racers after information was received about the bike race.
“Policemen were posted along the stretch and they continuously updated each other of the movement of the two-wheelers. We did not want to stop them abruptly, because it would have led to an accident, considering the speed at which they were driving. So we passed on information to our police staff stationed along the route and caught them at the end of the ride by placing barricades that prevented them from fleeing,” said Elango, assistant commissioner of police, traffic investigation, east.
The police said the youngsters were not wearing helmets and were reportedly driving in a very rash manner. “They did not even stop at signals,” said Mr. Elango.
They were sent to the juvenile home after being produced in court. They were booked under sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the IPC.
Earlier, youngsters, especially students, who were caught racing, were let off with a warning, the police said. Usually, racing takes place late in the night and over weekends, officials said. This year alone, a total of 442 youngsters who indulged in racing were let off with a fine of Rs. 2,000 and a warning. Earlier, such bike races were common on ECR and the Beach Road.
“Since we strengthened checking on those stretches, the racing has shifted to Radhakrishnan Salai, especially on weekends and holidays,” said a police source.
Senior police officers said that they would be taking similar action against youngsters who indulged in racing.
