Police start booking mechanics who 'alter' vehicles for stunts

The traffic police have started booking mechanics who illegally modify motorbikes or cars for those doing stunts on roads.

Since the stunts often endanger the lives of drivers and other road users, the traffic police have decided to prosecute the mechanics who modify the vehicles and motivate motorists to do stunts. They earlier carried out a city-wide drive against the performers of such stunts. In the past month, police have booked more than 10 mechanics.

R Hithendra, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), told DH: “Under the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, modification of any vehicle is not permissible. We are booking mechanics for abetting in the stunts by modifying cars and bikes that enable illegal speeding without the consent of the Transport Department.”

Many of these mechanics have set up shop near colleges where they get good business, a traffic police officer said.

“We are booking the mechanics who modify vehicles for money. They are the main influence on young and underage motorists to modify vehicles in such a manner that they can easily perform wheelies and other stunts,” he added. The mechanics are being booked under various provisions of the Indian
Motor Vehicles Act on the basis of information provided by vehicle owners, the officer said.

A mechanic, who runs an authorised two-wheeler service centre on Hesaraghatta Main Road, said such modifications were usually done by small repairmen. They increase two-wheelers’ torque that enables users to perform wheelies by easily lifting the handlebar, he added.

The average age of riders performing the stunts is between 16 and 20. Most of the time, they practise these stunts at night and then carry them out during the daytime on the outskirts of the city, the officer explained.