SHILLONG, MAR 31: Youngsters are turning the city streets into racing tracks, zipping through the narrow public roads in their bikes and cars in breakneck speed to the horrors of the residents and ignoring police warnings of stern action, including permanent cancellation of their diving licenses.
The favoured roads of wannabe Lewis Hamiltons and Marc Marquezs are Jaiaw, Polo, Mawkhar and IGP (one-way). Other streets of the city, too, are not free from the menace of speed driving. “These zooming cars and bikes, especially of the modified kind, create a lot of nuisance in the neighbourhood, particularly at night hours,” said a resident of Jaiaw.
Others, though sympathetic towards the youth for their desire to speed-drive, however, felt they should find a safe place to indulge in their stunts and definitely not the city roads meant for the general public. “We can understand the enthusiasm of the youngsters in wanting to emulate their sporting and movie heroes by driving fast, but doing so on public roads is not at all acceptable. The youngsters should find a right place to indulge in their passion without inconveniencing the people,” said another resident.
Police said they have received complaints of speed driving from different localities in the city and the outskirts, and they were taking the matter very seriously. “We have received lots of complaints from different localities about roads being turned into racing zones. We are keeping a close watch on them, and will take up the matter seriously,” said a senior police officer..
In fact, the police have apprehended some bikers and drivers for speed driving, but let them off with strict warning. “If such drivers are caught again, their licenses may even be cancelled permanently,” said the officer
The East Khasi Hills have witnessed an increase in road accidents in the last few years which, according to a police study, is due to reckless and speed driving, and violation of traffic rules and regulations.“We are taking initiatives to conduct awareness on road safety to curb down accidents in the district,” the officer added. –By Our Reporter
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