All those who think traffic rules are for lesser mortals could soon come to grief. Those constables on duty are being equipped with technology that will record evidence of rules flouted. In order to discipline errant motorists, the police are procuring 500 sophisticated compact digital cameras by the first week of February.
The city already has 180 surveillance cameras at various traffic junctions.
The police have identified 70 more places to install cameras with night vision capacity and are getting 500 digital cameras to record traffic violations.
Better management
M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security), told The Hindu on Wednesday traffic police on duty will be equipped with digital cameras to catch violations.
“The cameras will help us in better traffic management. They will be distributed to all 39 traffic police stations.”
Bangalore's population is now close to one crore and only 3,000 traffic police constables are on round-the-clock duty.
Often, traffic violators deny breaking rules or make false allegations against the constables, A. Nagappa, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic Planning), said.
The cameras will pre-empt such confrontations.
The traffic constables will download the images at the station, and they will be crucial digital evidence for the police.
All the images will be stored at the Traffic Management Centre (TMC).
Crime monitoring too
Another purpose of procuring the digital cameras is also to monitor crime and movements of criminals on roads and help apprehend habitual offenders and criminal elements.
“The cameras will help the police in monitor law and order. During emergencies or clashes, the traffic police will take pictures at the locations. Later, the senior officials will disseminate the images to all police stations to trace culprits,” Mr. Nagappa said.
Private sponsor
A top police officer said a private company has offered to sponsor the 500 digital cameras.
These gadgets may reach the department by the first week of February.
