By AZE.US
Teenagers riding mopeds and motorcycles without licenses are gathering in groups in Baku, checking whether police are nearby and then attempting dangerous maneuvers, transport expert Elmaddin Muradli said.
Muradli warned that running red lights, traveling against traffic and performing stunts create serious risks for riders and other road users.
Speaking in a televised discussion, Muradli said videos of dangerous incidents more often involve couriers and amateur riders than experienced members of organized motorcycle clubs. He said the conduct of some riders also damages the reputation of motorcyclists who follow traffic rules.
Teenagers Check Whether Police Are Nearby
Muradli said he had personally seen teenagers about 14 or 15 years old gather in groups of five or six and check whether police were present before riding.
He said they then discussed dangerous stunts, including riding while standing or without using their hands. He linked the behavior to efforts to impress peers and inadequate adult supervision.
Parents should know not only whether a child has access to a moped or motorcycle but also where and how it is being used, Muradli said.
“The family should know where the child got the money to buy the motorcycle, where the child rides and how it is operated,” he said.
A Small Moped May Have a Larger Engine
Muradli also warned that appearances can be misleading. A vehicle that looks like a small moped may have an engine displacement of 120 cubic centimeters or more.
Compact dimensions therefore do not necessarily mean that a vehicle is low-powered or safe. He also cited cases in which riders operated motorcycles without a driver’s license.
Discussing a recent fatal crash, Muradli referred to information that the rider lacked the right to drive and to videos showing risky riding before the accident.
Fleeing From Patrols Adds Another Danger
Muradli described an incident during a preventive operation in Baku’s Surakhani district in which a moped rider attempted to flee when traffic police approached.
Panic during an escape can make a rider ignore road conditions and increase the risk of hitting an obstacle or another road user, he said.
Muradli also reminded riders that registration, licensing and technical-condition requirements apply to two-wheeled vehicles.
Registration Plates Must Remain Visible
The expert criticized efforts to obstruct the identification of registration plates, including mounting a plate upside down or covering it with a foot.
He said enforcement should apply to all riders, including experienced bikers. Organized motorcycle groups generally ride in a disciplined manner, he said, though speeding and other dangerous violations still occur among some members.
Muradli said the underlying problem is treating a moped as a toy that can be used without regard for traffic rules. On public roads, that attitude endangers both the rider and everyone nearby.
Sources: Vesti Baku; televised interview with Elmaddin Muradli.