Majority of the boys and girls in their teens are riding bikes/scooters that have a capacity of 100 CC or above. The busy and narrow roads of the town are not out of bounds for them and are never questioned by the police personnel.
These riders, below 18 years, can be seen in every nook and corner of the town during peak hours in the morning or evening, making the traffic regulation a tough job.
As per the Road Transport Authority rules an applicant who has completed 16 years of age is eligible to apply for a driving licence to drive a motorcycle with an engine capacity below 55 cc subject to the condition that the parent or guardian should furnish a declaration in the manner prescribed.
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Interestingly parents, who are supposed to restrict and not allow their children to ride these geared bikes/scooters above 55 cc, are encouraging the practice among teenagers by giving it a tag of entertainment.
The police, which are supposed to monitor the traffic, did not have a Circle Inspector for four years.
The post was filled a few weeks ago.
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“We never conducted even a single drive to nab the teen riders on the town roads. We are yet to come up with special drives to check the practice, which is disturbing the vehicular movements,” said Machilipatnam Deputy Superintendent of Police K. Lavanya Lakshmi.
She also revealed that there were no counselling sessions conducted for the teenagers and their parents.