A surveillance camera installed by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) on the Changanassery Bypass Road is now barely visible, obscured by thick tree branches and dense foliage. This once-prominent speed-monitoring camera, located in the Palathra region near the footpath, was initially touted as a deterrent to reckless driving. However, locals claim the camera has been non-functional for quite some time.

While the camera was operational, its presence alone was enough to curb some of the rash biking activities. But now, with the camera hidden from view, bike racing and dangerous stunts have surged. Luxury motorcyclists, particularly those part of biking gangs, often race along the stretch under the cover of night, ignoring traffic rules with impunity.

The lack of proper street lighting further exacerbates the danger, contributing to an increased risk of accidents. Recently, an overspeeding motorcycle collided with a group of pedestrians on this stretch, leaving several injured.

A haven for law violations
The bypass road has become a hotspot for bike racing, with numerous riders flaunting unauthorised modifications to their motorcycles' designs and engines. Young bikers, frequently riding in packs, now dominate the road. Many of them employ foldable number plates to evade identification, further complicating efforts to enforce the law.

Police have raised concerns that pursuing these reckless riders could lead to even more accidents, making effective enforcement increasingly difficult.