Crl.OP.No.5473 of 2024

N.ANAND VENKATESH , J

When the matter was taken up for hearing today, this Court requested the

assistance of the learned State Public Prosecutor to come up with a mechanism to

deal with cases of this nature. When the matter was called, Mrs.N.Devarani, IPS,

Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic North, Greater Chennai Traffic Police and

Mr.P.Kumar, DC, Traffic North, Greater Chennai City Police, were also present.

2.A status report has been filed by the Additional Commissioner of Police,

escape, drawing cheap thrills from these episodes. I further submit that

the Traffic Police have identified the following roads as key areas where

this speeding phenomenon frequently occurs : Kamarajar Salai, ECR, EVR

Salai, 100 Feet Road, Sardar Patel Road, Santhome High Road, RK Salai,

Nungambakkam High Road, Anna Salai, and GST Road.

4.I respectfully submit that upon noticing these acts, the Greater

Chennai Traffic Police have paid special attention to discourage racing on

the afore mentioned roads and for this purpose, we have adopted the

following methods:

a)31 locations on the above mentioned roads were identified and

south district, and they have a special task to closely monitor bike races

and its related activities.

c) A special scheme is in operation on Saturday, Sunday and

festival holidays (Enclosed as ANNEXURE-1)

d) Zig Zag barricades have been laid in all the vehicle check points

to discourage speeding of all vehicles.

e) 384 ANPR Cameras have been installed. These cameras

automatically detect speeding vehicles and auto generate challans. This

creates a database of violators who habituate speed driving or bike racing.

The table below gives particulars of the area where these cameras are

th

Ave Jn

2 Troz-2 Corridor-1

5 102 Tender

awarded

4 ITRS Located in various junctions 59 77 Functional

with photo of the speeding vehicle. In most of the case, the driver's photo

is also captured. Follow up action of registering a case and imposing fine is

executed. Photograph of one such pole with camera is enclosed herewith

as ANNEXURE-2.

g) In ECR, OMR/Kamarajar Salai and Koyembedu - Madhuravoyal

roads we have commissioned three interceptor vehicles mounted with

ANPR cameras. These regularly monitor these important junctions. They

can detect, chase and arrest vehicles. Photograph of the vehicle is

enclosed herewith as ANNEXURE-3. The Table below gives particulars of

h) A database of old offenders involved in racing is maintained

from 2022 onwards. This informs the department the history of the

persons and for them the following are specifically done

a. These persons are being monitored closely.

b. So far 107 bonds have been executed for keeping the

good behavior from the above violators.

c. It was realized many were in their teens and therefore

rules violation, action is initiated on them.

i) ANNEXURE-4 depicts a comparative chart showing zone wise

and year wise comparison. That apart a sample of the biodata of the

violator and photo post counseling with their parents are filed for

reference.

j) The police department has also began Social Media monitoring

persons. A Special team has been set up to monitor the post put by

general public with reference to these violations. More than 1000 profiles

detected and booked for posting stunts and speed racing photos and

videos. ANNEXURE-5 is herewith attached showing a sample photo and

the case booked. Only one case has been registered this year on

23.02.2024.

k) The Greater Chennai Traffic Police have also started registering

cases under section 308 IPC between 2021 to 2024 and offenders were

remanded.

l) 26 bike race cases have been booked from 2022 to 2024 (upto

March 13). In the north zone 25 arrest were made and in south zone 47

accused were arrested during this period of 2022 to 2024.

driving, over speed and racing. Breakup is given in ANNEXURE-6.

o) The traffic department has also began the exercise of sudden

inspection of Automobile Shops. The automobile shops that presently

modify bikes are being checked by the Inspectors and regular meetings

are being conducted to ensure that modification is not done. We inform

constantly involved in these illegal modifications or selling parts for these

motivations.

p) In terms of awareness to public, the Greater Chennai Traffic

Police has initiated and is following the following;

a. Awareness programs among College/School students,

bike mechanic, at important public gathering places like beaches, melas,

fairs through mic systems are being organized.

b. Advertisements are around placed commercial

establishments to constantly remind and avert bike races.

d. Short films comprising of traffic awareness is being

displayed at public places and Cinema theatre to create awareness for the

public.

e. Cinema celebrities are being roped to impress and create

more awareness amongst their fans and youth.

f. Many bike racers were brought to Govt hospital accident

ward and shown the consequences of accident. This visual impact has

been quite effective. These youngsters are then encouraged to talk to

their friends / public of their experiences.

intends to adopt a multi-faceted approach that integrates innovative

technologies, targeted enforcement, and community engagement to curb

reckless road behavior, effectively reducing instances of bike/car racing

and rash driving. Furthermore, I submit that the introduction of new

methods is in the pipeline.

a) Traffic police intend to implement smart barricades. These are

the present barricades that would be fitted with ANPR cameras and

generate automatic ticketing for defaults. There is no human intervention

except at dispatch of challan. We presume this would be an effective

system to enforce speed limits. To commence, the department intends to

place these special barricades strategically in the recurring known racing

zones. A photo of these special future barricade is Annexed hereto in

ANNEXURE-7.

b) Furthermore, plan to utilize drones for aerial surveillance. These

road areas.

2) Targeted Education and Awareness Campaigns

a) Launch multimedia campaigns to better reach. Much leverage

has to be drawn from social media, digital platforms, and traditional media

channels to raise awareness of the dangers of bike racing and rash driving.

b) Collaborate further with schools, colleges, and community

organizations to integrate education into curriculums and extracurricular

activities to bring awareness about impact of bike racing and rash driving.

3.This Court expressed its mind to the learned State Public Prosecutor to the

effect that the persons, who are indulging in such reckless driving of vehicles (two

wheelers and cars) mostly fall within the age group of 18 years to 25 years. These

are teenagers who are in the grips of hormones without sufficient maturity. That

apart, high powered bikes are now easily available in the market and hence some

teenagers involve in reckless driving of vehicles. To a great extent, social media is

also having its impact on such teenagers, who post these heroic deeds in the social

undergo a process and ultimately when they get out, they must have reformed

jurisprudence in this area must be more towards reformation than branding such

teenagers as criminals.

5.The learned State Public Prosecutor submitted that the Additional

Commissioner of Police has already got in touch with the experts in adolescent

psychology and an attempt is being made to come up with a mechanism to deal with

the psychology of these teenagers who are prone to such reckless driving.

6.This Court will take the present case as a sample case in order to evolve a

mechanism to effectively deal with cases of this nature in future.

7.Post this case under the caption 'for passing further orders' on 24.4.2024.