NEW DELHI: The year 2020 changed many things. Among them was replacement of issuance of challans by policemen on the roads with camera-based prosecutions. After the lockdown was eased, traffic cameras helped fine motorists violating speed limits and other rules. Calling it a futuristic technique, Delhi Traffic Police will now be installing around 150 speed-detection and red-light violation cameras at 31 prime locations in the city by the end of this month.
A senior police officer said these cameras proved to be very effective for violations because traffic cops on the road cannot screen all cars that travel beyond the speed limit. However, cameras equipped with detecting this violation can track every vehicle.
Speeding vehicles are a major traffic problem in the city. Using more speed cameras is an appropriate move. It will reduce manual policing, which is not only risky for traffic cops but also an avenue for corruption.
From March 24 till the end of May in 2020, there weren’t many cars on the roads. However, as soon as the lockdown restrictions were relaxed, there was a heavy influx of vehicles causing a sudden spike in the number of challans being issued.
This was also the first time when police stopped using alcometer to catch drunk drivers. “Since social distancing had to be maintained, the department relied heavily on camera-based fines to ensure the safety of commuters and its own staff,” said an officer.
By March 31 this year, traffic police are looking to install 50 additional speed-detection cameras at 25 locations. Another 100 red-light detection cameras will be set up at six junctions where multiple violations are detected. They would be equipped to record violations like jumping red signals, stop-line violations and driving against the flow of traffic. These cameras also record speeding offences.
While the speed-detection cameras will be installed on Mathura Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, NH-48, Rohtak Road and Mukarba Chowk, the red-light violation cameras will be set up at Peeragarhi Chowk, Britannia Chowk, Azadpur Chowk and Burari. Currently, the city has over 150 cameras installed at 37 locations, including ITO, Naraina, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Dwarka, Dhaula Kuan, Sarai Kale Khan, Mayapuri, among other places.
In 2020, 13,802,973 challans were issued against 10,580,249 in 2019. Traffic officers said that last year the department made progress in digitally serving notices to offenders. Now, they are working towards sending more challans through SMS. By making linking of mobile numbers mandatory while registering vehicles, traffic police were able to send over 60% of the total challans via SMS. Till 2019, this figure was only around 49%. Since people are getting notices on phones, challan payments have also gone up.
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