Turning off the engine of vehicles while driving down Chamundi Hills has become a nuisance, even causing a few minor accidents. To prevent such mishaps, the Traffic Police have begun a crackdown on such reckless driving.
During a special drive, three police teams, who stationed themselves at different points on Chamundi Hills, booked 71 cases of reckless driving between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday.
“We received many complaints against reckless driving on Chamundi Hills. We will continue the drive by booking vehicles users for the violation of traffic rules,” said a traffic police official.
People, who drive up the Chamundi Hills, turn off the vehicle and drive in neutral gear while coming downhill. “It is dangerous because oncoming vehicles will not know about the errant vehicle if it is switched off and the driver will not be in total control of the vehicle and sometimes the brakes will also fail,” the traffic police official added.
Offence
Contending that driving downhill without turning on the engine was an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act, the official said some errant vehicles even turned their headlights off, catching oncoming vehicles off-guard.
“Such reckless driving has become a craze among youngsters and we will crack down on it,” the official said.
Many two-wheelers and four-wheelers are involved in such dangerous driving, officials said. Recently, a car and a bus were involved in a minor mishap.
Driving with high-beam lights is also an offence.
“We will conduct such drives frequently on Chamundi Hills,” the official added.
Three special police teams booked
71 cases on Friday
