Cameras to capture traffic violators

KOCHI: The Motor Vehicle Department will install surveillance cameras from Aroor to Ernakulam. The proposal aims at creating a safe corridor for the vehicles on the stretch between Cherthala and Mannuthi.Authorities said that the traffic violators will have a tough time ahead as they will be under the close scrutiny of the camera eyes while on that route. “Twenty three cameras will be installed as a part of this initiative. Each of these cameras can capture about six hundred images a day, which will be connected to the server of the Deputy Commissioner of Police’s office,” said T J Thomas, RTO, Ernakulam.All the traffic violators will be under close scrutiny as the cameras will work round the clock and will supply concrete evidence regarding all the traffic violations to the department. “ Red light jumping, perilous driving and other traffic evasions will be strictly punished,” Thomas said. RTO said that they were actually finding it difficult to put an absolute tab on the cases of traffic violations. T J Thomas said that the speed governors installed in the vehicles are not serving the purpose due to several reasons. The device which has been installed in most of the vehicles are tampered with. “They install speed governors at the time of inspection and remove them once the inspections are over.  When the authorities conduct inspections and seize a vehicle, the drivers of the seized vehicle quickly pass the information to other drivers, who deroute their vehicles to avoid getting caught” the RTO added.He said that though they are conducting surprise checks to prevent it, the department is not provided with the facilities to seize all the violators.  Once these cameras are installed, the department can heave a sigh of relief as they will be equipped to tackle this long pending issue.  “A fine of `1,700 will be imposed on dangerous driving and `400 to `700 for red light jumping and other traffic violations,” he said.