Jamshedpur: Lust for speed is killing more two-wheeler riders in and around the steel city than anything else.

According to data collected from MGM Medical College mortuary in Dimna, as many as 15 bikers, mostly youths, met with fatal accidents this month while driving at breakneck speed and then skidding off the road.

A 20-year-old Gamharia resident Ranjit Gagrai is latest among the victims. The college student was admitted to Tata Main Hospital with head injury on December 25 and died on Friday morning.

Relative Anurag Gagrai said Ranjit was returning home on Christmas night after partying with his friend when his bike skidded off Adityapur-Kandra Road.

"He was not in the habit of wearing helmet. Had he put on a helmet, he could have survived the mishap," he said.

On December 24, 35-year-old Mango resident Mahesh Gope was killed on the spot after his bike skidded on Jamshedpur-Chowka Road under Chowka thana.

On December 15, two residents of Baridih in their 20's - Bikash Singh and Alok Prasad - suffered severe head injuries when their bike swerved off Golmuri-Nildih Road under Golmuri thana. Both of them are still undergoing treatment at Tata Main Hospital.

Bhuiyadih-resident Anshu Kumar (32) died on the spot when his two-wheeler slid off the road and fell into a drain at Refugee Colony under Golmuri thana on December 4.

According to records, most of the victims are from the steel city or the adjoining Adityapur-Gamharia area in Seraikela-Kharsawan district.

DSP (traffic) Sudhir Kumar said the number of high-speed bikes had increased considerably in the city.

"Most youngsters do not know how to ride these high-speed sport bikes and tend to lose control. The fact that many don't wear helmets make matters worse," Kumar told The Telegraph.

According to the traffic wing of district police, Rs 24.84 lakh has been collected as penalty from helmet-less bikers this month.

Traffic cops have also summoned 289 bikers for rash driving after collecting their registration numbers from CCTV camera footages.

What can police do to reduce fatal bike accidents? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com