Vasu Potnuru Visakhapatnam

Forsome motorists, drawing attention through noise is considered a trend. However, their reckless attitude not only causes inconvenience to others but also poses a risk to fellow commuters.

Following a surge of complaints from residents over noise pollution and reckless road behaviour by a section of motorists, the city police launched a major crackdown on those violating traffic and vehicle safety regulations.

The special enforcement drive, carried out under the directions of City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, targets unauthorised vehicle modifications that have become increasingly common among youngsters in the city. According to police officials, several youths have been removing the company-facilitated silencers from their expensive motorcycles and replacing them with modified products that produce excessive noise and emit smoke, causing inconvenience to the public and adding to environmental pollution. Women, senior citizens and those suffering from cardiac issues have expressed concern over the noise pollution caused by such modified vehicles and have urged the police to take strict action against it.

Responding to the complaints, traffic police teams have intensified inspections across the city. During the drive, officials seized 142 modified silencers that were found to be causing noise pollution. The altered silencers are being destroyed periodically to prevent their reuse. Police also removed 89 unauthorised high-beam lights fitted on cars and auto-rickshaws. Officials said these lights create visibility problems for oncoming motorists at night, increasing the risk of road accidents.

Also, the enforcement drive has focused on the growing use of mobile phone stands on two-wheelers. Traffic authorities observed that many riders tend to divert their attention to their mobile phones while riding, resulting in risky situation not only for themselves but also to the other road users. Keeping this in view, 270 mobile stands have been removed from vehicles during recent inspections.

In another significant action, police seized 73 two-wheelers involved in illegal bike racing on Beach Road and other parts of the city. Cases have been registered against the riders, and the Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC), Visakhapatnam, has been requested to initiate the process for suspension of their driving licenses.

Speaking on the issue, City Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said that unauthorised vehicle modifications and traffic violations pose a serious threat to public safety. He noted that children, women, elderly citizens and people suffering from heart-related ailments are particularly affected by loud vehicle noise. The Commissioner also cautioned that the use of unauthorised high-beam lights and mobile phone stands while driving could result in accidents, causing risk to both riders and road users.

The Visakhapatnam City Police appealed to motorists to comply with road safety regulations, avoid unauthorised vehicle modifications and drive responsibly in the interest of public safety and environmental protection. Further, he stressed that keeping the Visakhapatnam roads safe and secure is a shared responsibility between the people as well as the department officials