Red light violation detection cameras planned

They will record five to ten second videos and click 3 photographs of the motorist before violation

Marking the limit: LED reflector lights installed on the road to form the stop-line near the IG office and Queen Mary’s College.

In a bid to curb signal violations on city roads and reduce accidents caused by it, the Chennai Traffic Police is planning to install red light violation detection (RLVD) cameras on arterial roads in the coming months. This will be in addition to the Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras planned at signals.

Till March this year, the traffic police have registered over 37,200 cases relating to signal violations and close to 15,000 cases pertaining to stop-line violation.

“With the Chennai Metro work nearing completion on Anna Salai, the traffic flow is all set to improve. Hence we are planning to install the RLVD cameras in all signals on arterial roads,” said a police officer.

The cameras will record five to ten second videos and click three photographs of the motorist before violation, while jumping the signal and after it. “The ANPR cameras will capture the number plate. The photographs along with the challan will be sent to the address of the respective motorist traced with the help of the number,” added the officer.

Flickering stop-lines

The flickering stop-lines, similar to those installed on Kamarajar Salai - Radhakrishnan Salai Junction on a trial basis, will be introduced in all signals, if the pilot scheme turns out successful.

“These 1.5 inch metal strips fitted with LEDs are synchronised with the nearby traffic signal. If the signal is red, the same will reflect on the stop-line too,” explained the officer.

The motorist can reduce the speed of the vehicle seeing the colour of the stop-line and halt at the signal.

“So when the RLVD cameras captures the image of a motorist jumping the signal, the colour of the flickering light will also be additional proof. If it is red then it means he has jumped the signal,” said a traffic police officer on Kamarajar Salai.

Increase in violations

Meanwhile pedestrians complain that stop-line violations have increased in the city.

“Motorists wait on the zebracrossing making it impossible for people, especially the elderly, to cross the road. The police have to take stringent action against this,” said K. Krubakaran, a retired railway employee, Vepery.