Chandigarh likely to get auto speed radar systems by year-end

Chandigarh is likely to get hi-tech speed radar camera systems for easy detection of vehicles violating traffic rules by the end of this year.

The high-tech two-speed radar camera systems were tested in the city briefly in March 2018. Radar technology determines the speed, angle and range of objects through such systems and a camera records proof of vehicles violating safety norms.

“We are currently looking for tenders for three of these systems, and six driver-feedback screens,” said senior superintendent of police (SSP) traffic Shashank Anand.

The flexible systems are likely to be rotated within the 15 black spots identified by the police as the most accident-prone. Most importantly, as the radar does not rely on visibility, the systems will also function in dark and in rain.

Currently, traffic police personnel check speeding vehicles at drunken driving checkpoints (nakas) set up at night.

The new system’s driver-feedback screens will display the speed of the vehicles. “Drivers don’t usually look at their speedometers and are often unaware of how fast they are driving. These screens will display their speeds and help people adapt to driving within the permissible speed limit,” Anand said.

The camera system, however, will be added later for issuing traffic violation information slips (TVIS).

A speed violation challan will lead to a Rs 1,000 fine or a six-month jail term or both. Second-time rule violators will be fined Rs 2,000 or a six-month jail term or both. Driving licences can be cancelled after the third violation.

Speeding vehicles caused 321 out of 342 or 93.85% of accidents in 2017.

In contrast, drunken driving only accounted for 2.92 % of all accidents in 2017. About 4,506 challans were issued for speeding in 2017 and 9,937 up to July this year.

Eye on speeding vehicles

In an attempt to rein in speedsters, the Chandigarh traffic police did test trials of the speed radar cameras in the city in March. Two cameras were then put up at Jan Marg. Here’s everything you need to know about these hi-tech gizmos

How will the speed radars function?

The radar logs the speed of each vehicle passing by it, and the camera takes its picture if it crosses permissible speed limits. A challan is then sent to the vehicle owner’s residential address with the image of the vehicle. The digital cameras have LED screens, which display speeds of approaching vehicles and caution speeding motorists. Those who miss the radar LED screen will of course know they have violated speed limits when they get a challan.

How will challan be generated?

Once the speeding vehicle is captured on camera and its speed logged, a challan will be sent to the vehicle owner’s address through a traffic violation information slip (TVIS). Vehicles from other cities can be traced through the road transport ministry’s Vahan app.