Cameras to curb speeding activated

The move said to be the first one in the State

The Motor Vehicles Department has operationalised the automated speed violation detection system for the first time in the State along the Vellayambalam-Kowdiar road.

Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran formally commissioned the newly-installed all-vehicle automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras on Tuesday. The cameras, designed and installed by public-sector undertaking Keltron, will function round-the-clock under all weather conditions.

Besides capturing images of vehicles that violated speed limits, the cameras will also enable continuous monitoring of vehicular traffic, the live feed of which will be transmitted to the automated enforcement control room of the Motor Vehicles department. The system also simplified the detection of vehicles that operated without valid insurance, fitness and pollution control certificate.

The equipment, which is capable of recording speeds up to 240 km/hr, utilised the global shutter technology and is incorporated with an infrared flash system that has a synchronised low intensity/high intensity feature. This feature enabled the system to record images of both retro-reflective and non-reflective number plates. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saseendran said the implementation of the automated speed violation detection system was part of the ongoing modernisation of the activities of the department. More automated driving test centres, similar to the one established at Anayara, would soon be established.

Besides, the government also aimed at creating model and safe corridors across the State with the prime objective of preventing accidents. The work on the MC Road stretch from Kazhakuttam to Adoor was under way, he said. Worried over the high incidence of road accidents, Mr. Saseendran said over 4,000 deaths occurred in such incidents on an average every year in the State.

Presiding over the function, K. Muraleedharan, MLA, said the initiative of the Motor Vehicles department was not aimed at impeding the freedom of motorists, especially youngsters, but ensuring their safety. He said the accident-prone Vellayambalam-Kowdiar stretch witnessed numerous accidents that had led to loss of lives and left many crippled.