Dharwad: Motorcycle riders felt the heat for violating traffic rules during a surprise drive conducted by police special teams in Dharwad.

The traffic police launched the drive against riders found violating traffic rules and seized over 40 motorcycles. As many as eight special traffic police teams, headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police B S Nyamagoudar, conducted surprise checks at various places in the morning hours.

Surprise checks were held at busy places like Dasanakoppa Circle, Karnataka College Circle, Saptapur Bhavi Circle, Srinagar Circle, Jayanagar Circle, Swami Vivekananda Circle and others. Police targeted those who were found violating traffic rules, including reckless driving, using high decibel horns, wheeling among others.

Majority of vehicles seized belonged to students and they were issued notices, police said.

The special drive against motorcycle riders was conducted following a large number of complaints from citizens. It was noticed that some youth and students indulged in reckless riding and violated traffic rules causing trouble to the public, especially women, children and senior citizens.