The City police have begun to act tough against the prevalent practice of altering motorcycles in the wake of increasing threat to the safety of road users.
During a citywide drive held a few days ago, the police took into custody around 30 motorcycles that were found to be customised in violation of the norms under the Motor Vehicles Act. The vehicles, mostly expensive motorcycles, were confiscated from areas coming under the Vanchiyoor, Pettah, Museum, Karamana, and Poojappura police station limits.
According to City Police Commissioner P. Prakash, there have been information regarding several motorcycles being altered in a manner that endangered lives. “Many such vehicles were being used for dangerous bike stunts, speeding, and racing. The city witnessed the unfortunate loss of two youths at Poojappura a few days ago, particularly owing to rash driving,” he said.
Joint operation
The drive, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police G. Jayadev, has been undertaken jointly by the City police and the Shadow police. The police have cautioned that vehicles that are being confiscated will be inspected by motor vehicle inspectors.
A confirmation that the vehicle had been altered would lead to the suspension of its registration, Mr. Prakash said. According to official sources, while any modification made to a motorcycle constituted an alteration, the police are currently making efforts to rein in those that put motorists in peril and cause public nuisance. The police have taken note of the increasing tendency among the youth in altering silencers. The High Court had directed the Transport Department and the State Police to initiate stringent action against persons who rode motor vehicles with customised modifications in violation of the Motor Vehicles Act, in a judgement issued a year ago. The modifications pertained to the alteration of motorcycles such as removal of mud guard and sari guard. Such customisations in a “bid to add glamour to the vehicle, posed danger to the public”.
