The city police has embarked on a crack-down on errant motor-cyclists across the city. Complaints against reckless-motor-cycling, driving without proper helmet and some untimely deaths of youths necessitate stern action. Already, traffic police personnel booked record number of errant motor-cyclists across the city.

A motor-cycle has become an inseparable part of an urban life. It takes less road-space and lesser parking space. If motor-cyclists practice safe driving method, It is unparalleled as means of transport. But in the city, motor-cyclists indulge in rash-driving and fall victim of fatal accidents.

“These youths are our children. They die before they could realise how costly their recklessness becomes to their helpless families. Speeding up of two-wheeler is often a show of machismo. Speed kills. So I have asked my officers to crack down on errant motor-cyclists,” said Commissioner of Police R K Pachnanda.

In March 2010, the 1678 motor-cyclists were prosecuted for tripling or carrying more than one pillion-riders (under section 128/177 MV Act), in March 2011, the figure rose to 2118. The traffic police officers said that subsequently, the figure rises further with police being extra-vigilant about errant-motor-cyclists. On the charge of not wearing helmet (129/177 MV Act), the city police had booked 2738 motor-cyclists in March 2010, in 2011, in March 2011, 2882 motor-cyclists were booked for not wearing helmet..

The maximum deaths of motor-cyclists happened because of head and spine injury. Proper helmet saves the head and the spine, too. So not wearing a helmet often proves suicidal, said a senior traffic police officer.

The raids also revealed that a large number of motor-cyclists wear helmets which do not conform the basic standard.  So wearing them or not wearing them makes no difference. In fact, wearing non-standard helmet is an offence. It often increases the chance of fatality. In January 2010, the number of motor-cyclists booked for not wearing non-standard helmet was 4439, in 2011 January, the figure rose to 4647.

At various parts of the city, the motor-cyclist often indulge in rash driving either to intimidate or to tease girls. In Ballygunge, New Alipore, Khidderpore, Beniapukur and Kareya, such kind of rash driving is prevalent. Police are now keeping a special vigil in these areas so that pedestrian feel safe on the streets. If any such errant motor-cyclist is nabbed, they will be punished according to the prescription of the law.