Police puts brakes on JJ flyover bikers

Mumbai: Witnessing a spurt in the number of bike accidents on the JJ flyover, the traffic police have banned two-wheelers on the flyover from Thursday. Of the 31 fatal accidents on the flyover in the past five years, traffic department statistics say, 23 involved two-wheelers. “The ban will be effective till we issue further orders,” Nandkumar Chaugule, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), said.Senior officers blame speeding for accidents on the flyover. Most bikers do not follow the 30km per hour speed limit, an officer said. “Apart from speeding, they drive rashly,” he said. “Also, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to catch errant bikers. Often they speed away.” The officer said that most of the bikers do not wear helmets, especially at nights.
The traffic department is certain that speeding is the primary reason because none of the victims has ever tested positive for alcohol.According to a report compiled by the police, between 2004 and 2010, 24 bikers were killed and 158 were injured in accidents at a particular stretch on the flyover. “All the accidents happened at the curved stretch between Noor Hospital and Mandvi Post Office,” an officer said.