The roar of engines has become a reckless anthem on Kashmir’s roads. What was once a symbol of freedom and mobility is now being twisted into a spectacle of danger and defiance. Stunt biking, drifting and high-speed antics often filmed and flaunted on social media are turning public spaces into performance arenas, where thrill overrides safety and vanity eclipses responsibility.
This is not rebellion. It is negligence masquerading as bravado. Valley’s fragile road infrastructure, unpredictable weather and dense pedestrian zones make such stunts not just unlawful but life-threatening. Each wheelie, each drift, each burst of speed is a gamble with lives—of the rider, the bystander, the child crossing the street. And yet, the applause of virtual followers seems louder than the sirens of consequence.
Law enforcement has responded with seizures, fines and arrests. But the cycle persists. Why? Because punishment without prevention is a half-measure. Because the culture that glorifies such recklessness remains unchecked. Because the platforms that amplify these acts remain complicit in their virality. And because the silence of society, its failure to condemn, to educate, to intervene becomes tacit approval.
Valley has already paid too high a price for silence. It cannot afford another crisis born of indifference. Traffic laws must be enforced with consistency, not just in high-profile cases. Penalties must be proportionate to the risk posed. Repeat offenders must be tracked and their licenses revoked. But beyond enforcement, there must be engagement. Parents must ask harder questions. And youth must be shown that real courage lies not in defying rules, but in respecting them.
The recent surge in stunt-related incidents from motorcycles weaving through traffic to luxury SUVs drifting across city streets has exposed a dangerous trend. Valley’s roads are becoming stages for social media validation, where likes and views are valued more than lives and laws. In one case, a high-end vehicle was seen performing stunts in a crowded marketplace, prompting public outrage and temporary seizure. But temporary action is not enough. The response must be systemic, sustained and rooted in deterrence.
According to traffic department data, thousands of challans have been issued this year for stunt-related violations, and hundreds of vehicles have been impounded. Yet the numbers continue to rise. This suggests not just a failure of deterrence, but a failure of imagination. Enforcement must evolve. Surveillance must be smarter. Penalties must be sharper. And public messaging must be relentless.
Social media platforms must also be held accountable. Videos promoting dangerous driving should be flagged, removed and penalized. Those who film and encourage such behaviour must face consequences. The digital space cannot be a sanctuary for lawlessness. It must reflect the values of safety, responsibility, and civic respect.
The Valley’s youth are not the problem rather they are the solution. Their energy, creativity and passion must be redirected toward constructive pursuits. The thrill of speed must be matched by the pride of discipline. The applause of followers must be replaced by the respect of society.
This is not a call for control. It is a call for conscience. For reclaiming our roads from the grip of recklessness. For restoring dignity to public spaces. For choosing safety over spectacle. Valley deserves better than to be a backdrop for dangerous stunts. It deserves roads that carry dreams, not disasters. Let the Valley’s roads echo with responsibility, not risk.