Experts say that parents share equal responsibility for the surge of minor wheelie riders in the city.
The city is witnessing a rise in the number of wheelie riders, particularly minors. In response, the Bengaluru Traffic Police has been conducting special drives to nab the offenders.
According to data from the Bengaluru Traffic Police, 107 cases of wheeling have been reported in the city during the first two months of this year. Out of these, 27 cases were against minors. Last year, the city witnessed 219 incidents of wheeling, out of which 70 cases involved minors. In 2022, 283 cases of wheeling were registered with 25 cases being booked against minors. In 2021, 170 cases of wheeling were recorded, out of which 29 cases were against minors.
Dr. Anilkumar P. Grampurohit, Police Inspector at Traffic Management Centre said that they are expecting to catch more wheelie riders this year through the ongoing special drives. “There are 50 traffic police stations in the city, all of which are on the lookout for wheelie riders as part of the special drive. These offenders are caught based on complaints received and videos uploaded on social media sites,” he said. The licenses of the offenders are suspended, and in the case of minors, they are counseled, and their parents or the owner of the vehicles are fined. The fine is decided by the court, he added.
Haripriya, a college student, said, “I have come across rash drivers who perform wheelies and other stunts mostly in areas with less traffic movement. However, that does not take away the danger the activity poses. It is scary when these riders speed past you on the road and perform stunts which are dangerous for both them and other commuters.”
Suresh, a working professional said, “As a parent, it is my responsibility to be aware of what my children are doing when they are out, and to ensure that they are not engaging in anything dangerous for themselves or others. But what a child does is not always under the control of the parent, so, I think conducting such special drives to catch reckless drivers is a good initiative to make the streets safe for all.”
Grampurohit said that peer pressure, video games, movies, and advertisements that promote rash driving were major factors that influenced minors to engage in such activities. “It is the responsibility of parents to discourage their children from consuming such content that might influence them to engage in risky behavior. Parents should be role models, in not just what they preach, but also by setting an example by following the traffic rules themselves,” he said. One can practice such stunts in designated areas under proper supervision and with protective gear without threatening the safety of other commuters, he added.
Prof. M.N. Sreehari, Advisor to the Government of Karnataka for Traffic, Transportation and Infrastructure said that the youth, by engaging in such activities, is putting both their and others’ lives in danger. “Police must take stricter actions against the offenders, even if they are minors, and not just let them off with fines and warnings,” he suggested. However, he added that with the lack of manpower, the police cannot always be held responsible, thus placing the onus on parents to ensure that their children drive responsibly on the roads. “Ensuring road safety is a social responsibility that everyone must take seriously,” he added.
