Risky activities: Increasing trend of wheeling goes unchecked

RAWALPINDI:

The increasing trend of wheelies continued to go unchecked on various roads in Rawalpindi, especially during Eid holidays, where several motorcyclists were witnessed performing dangerous stunts on busy roads of the city.

The stunts, mostly teenagers, did not wear any helmets and could be seen performing wheelies at Committee Chowk, Nawaz Sharif Park, Shamsabad, Ayub Park and other areas.

Even though traffic wardens were deployed on all major roads, they were unable to stop these youngsters from performing wheelie.

“These motorcyclists not only put their own lives in danger, but also pose a threat to other peoples’ lives,” said Aftab, a local resident.

Despite all the efforts of the police to eliminate the activity, the number of youngsters attempting such stunts is increasing at a worrying rate.

“It is a serious problem and several accidents have been reported to us. We are working to adopt countermeasures against wheelies, but people should realise that escaping on motorbikes is much easier than other vehicles, due to which these ‘stunt-drivers’ are often able to dodge traffic wardens,” said a senior police official.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th,  2011.