The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Speed tracers to be put up on highways

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Speed tracers to be put up on highways

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MAY 17. The Transport Department plans to purchase speed tracers (speed radars) fitted with video cameras, to trap drivers who violate speed norms.

The Transport Commissioner, K.P. Somarajan, has said the speed radar that is being used now sends electronic beams at the vehicle that it is directed to, and records its speed. "As of now we can only get a printout of the speed as proof that the vehicle had crossed the maximum speed permissible. The identity of the vehicle cannot in any way be established. By using a tracer fitted with video camera, we can catch the vehicle's number plate on camera as soon as the tracer is directed at it," he said.

The Transport Department has sought at least six such radars. Government's sanction is awaited for the same and tenders will be invited soon after. At present, the department has five Toyota Qualis vehicles fitted with speed tracers and an equipment to measure the emission rate. Of these, two units are based in Thiruvananthapuram and one each in Kozhikode, Thrissur and Ernakulam.

The unit in Ernakulam was put to use on the NH on Saturday. Over 100 motorists were fined for exceeding the speed limit and for not tuning the vehicle as per the emission norms.

Mr. Somarajan said most car drivers and passengers in the front seat were not using seat belts. Many did not know how to use them. They were told how to use them, he said.

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