A viral video showing a man dressed as Santa Claus performing dangerous motorcycle stunts on a busy Chennai bypass road has triggered sharp criticism and renewed concerns over road safety violations in the city.
The clip, widely shared on social media on Thursday, shows the Santa-clad rider executing risky manoeuvres on the Maduravoyal–Tambaram Bypass Road. In the video, he is seen approaching moving vehicles to offer Christmas greetings in a manner that appeared intimidating to drivers and other road users.
Public safety concerns mount
Motorists and netizens have condemned the act, warning that such behaviour poses a serious threat on a high-speed arterial road. Several users pointed out that even a brief distraction or sudden braking could have led to a major accident.
“This may look amusing online, but it is extremely dangerous,” said Sudharshan, a motorist who regularly uses the bypass. “One moment of thrill can result in irreversible tragedy for innocent commuters.”
Police probe underway
Chennai Police said they are verifying the authenticity of the video and working to trace the rider. Officials revealed that the man had masked his face and removed the motorcycle’s registration number, making identification difficult.
“Performing stunts on public roads is a punishable offence under the Motor Vehicles Act,” a police officer said. “Dressing up or seeking attention on social media does not exempt anyone from the law. Strict action will be taken to prevent such reckless behaviour on city roads.”
Bypass road under repeated scrutiny
The Maduravoyal–Tambaram bypass has repeatedly come under the spotlight for reckless activities by youngsters. Police records show frequent incidents of illegal auto racing, overspeeding on two-wheelers and stunt videos being filmed for platforms like Instagram.
Traffic officials have warned that enforcement will be intensified on the stretch, including CCTV monitoring and patrols, especially during festive periods when such stunts tend to increase.
Call for responsible celebrations
Authorities and road safety advocates have urged citizens to celebrate festivals responsibly and avoid turning public roads into stages for dangerous displays.
Police reiterated that anyone found performing stunts or endangering lives for social media attention will face fines, licence suspension and possible arrest.