Rash drivers and helmet-less bikers, beware.

East Singhbhum traffic police have started a daylong surprise checking drive - which used to be just for two-three hours earlier - across Jamshedpur from Monday.

Concerned over rising road mishaps, especially involving teenagers, a directive regarding this was issued on Monday to all the five traffic police posts across the city.

"We have directed all the five traffic police stations in the city to conduct surprise checks at different locations throughout the day, at least till evening. It has been noticed that mostly school and college students get indulged in rash driving and riding without helmets. We hope to instil a sense of fear among them and deter them from violating the traffic norms," said traffic DSP Vivekananda Thakur.

Till now the surprise checking drives used to last for maximum two-three hours in the afternoon.

On Monday, the drive was conducted from 10am to 5pm at all the five traffic police station areas - Bistupur, Sakchi, Golmuri, Mango and Jugsalai - during which 215 bikers were caught altogether and fined Rs 72,200 for not adhering to the safety norms.

"It is very difficult to catch rash drivers, mostly those doing stunts on bikes. We have deputed 22 PCR vans at various strategic points in the city and also coordinating with the local police stations to catch such offenders. Noticing any such bike stunts on road, our patrolling teams will note down the number of the vehicle and immediately inform the traffic officials at various checking points through wireless phones. On the very first day, we caught 215 bikers," said the traffic DSP.

According to the Motor Vehicle Act, fine for riding without helmet is up to Rs 300 and rash driving or exceeding speed limit is Rs 1,000.

The residents have welcomed the move.

"It is a welcome step by the administration to increase the timing of the surprise checking drive but we also want the traffic police to cover more areas, as it is now limited to only roads near the thanas. They should conduct it in newer locations," said Mango-resident Shiv Pujan Singh (71), convener of Singhbhum Kendriya Varishta Nagarik Mancha.