Speed, stunts and social media collide on city roads prompting police to step up night patrol

Bhopal: A string of viral videos showing youngsters speeding and performing dangerous stunts on VIP Road, Airport Road and the Boat Club stretch put city police on alert, with authorities warning of strict action under multiple laws.The clips, widely circulated on social media in recent days, show bikers zig-zagging through lanes and SUV drivers racing on near-empty roads past midnight. In the latest clip recorded on VIP Road in Koh-e-Fiza, occupants are seen standing through sunroofs while the vehicles are in motion.Police officials said such behaviour poses a grave risk not only to offenders but also to unsuspecting commuters. According to traffic police data, overspeeding and drunk driving remain the leading causes of road accidents in the city.Late-night violationsCops said regular checking drives are conducted at key junctions till late night, but violators exploit deserted stretches after midnight."They are booked under the Motor Vehicles Act as well as relevant sections of BNS, and preventive action under BNSS is taken when required," a police officer said.Shyamla Hills SHO Bhupinder Kaur Sandhu said special checking is carried out in the Boat Club area, and vehicles involved in reckless driving are seized and cases are sent to court."Almost every day 1 or 2 stunt riders are caught and fined," she said, adding that speed-monitoring CCTV cameras are needed in the area. It will help in controlling such offenders. Even if locals or shopkeepers inform police about such offenders indulging in reckless driving, police take immediate action. The area remains so crowded during peak evening hours that such incidents are not possible.Highway hotspotsAirport Road — falling under Gandhi Nagar, Koh-e-Fiza and Parwalia police limits — has emerged as a favourite late-night racing stretch. "It's a wide highway and youngsters gather there after midnight to drive dangerously," a senior officer said. Koh-e-Fiza SHO KG Shukla confirmed that a recent viral video showed people standing through sunroofs on VIP Road. Police maintain 4 fixed checking points till midnight at Raja Bhoj Statue, Khanugaon, Karbala and Lalghati, followed by continuous night patrols.He cited a recent case in which a biker was chased, arrested and fined Rs 10,000 by the court. Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul said a special night-checking drive will be launched.