Islamabad: Night road racers infest 7th Ave in ITP absence

[Naveed Yaseen]

by Myra Imran
With Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) having done a great job in bringing a semblance of discipline on the capital roads, there is, however, still a need to ensure continuity in their efforts.

Some months ago, speed checks along the problematic 7th Avenue used to be regularly conducted and there was a visible measure of success in this regard. But with the passage of time, the problem of speeding on this particular stretch has reared its ugly head again.

It happens especially late at night that young thrill seekers steer on to this signal free avenue, and go zooming from one end to the other in utter disregard to other people’s safety. In the quiet of the night when there isn’t a cop in sight and traffic thins down considerably, the road is a scene of deadly over-speeding by motorists and stunts performed by young motorcyclists.

Many of them are out to kill, or get killed, or so it seems, for such lethal is their speed that it would appear to be a clip out of a top Hollywood movie. Racing, wheeling, screeching, stopping and again zooming, everything is on show on the wide, inviting roads. The new signal-free 7th Avenue is indeed the favourite spot of these night-time thrill seekers.

From flashy BMWs and Mercedes Benzes to Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas, all can be seen speeding, with often youngsters behind the wheel. A routine night would see action starting around 11pm when most of the traffic cops have left.

These adventure seekers usually wait for each other at the Avenue end near Marghazar Zoo and when all members get together, the thrill and challenge starts. The competition continues despite normal traffic on the roads, with local residents able to clearly listen to the roars of racing engines till late at night.

No doubt the problem is not as rampant as it was earlier on when the place used to become a virtual Formula One track with scores of people sitting by the roadside, waiting keenly to witness the action each night. On weekends, there was a regular competition among the young motorists. The spectators belonged to all age groups, including women and children, who used to enjoy summer evenings on the green belts. There are no people around in the winter but it seems that racers have again started warming themselves up for the upcoming season.

The ITP officials, however, denied any such organised activity, taking place on the road. “We are keeping a regular check and a squad of 10 cars is on duty late at night in the city,” said Deputy Superintendent Police Hassan Raza adding, “Such thrill seekers can be seen on the roads, mostly on the weekends but the ITP always takes strict action against them whenever they are caught”. He said regular speed checks are also conducted in the evenings. “Unless there comes up any special duty, the cops perform their task regularly,” he added.

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