Master control room sends out on an average 1,200 notices daily
The mere presence of the camera, whether functional or not, is forcing the drivers to slow down. (Photo: DC)
KOZHIKODE: The cameras installed on NH 47 between Cherthala and Mannuthi to curb speeding are doing their jobs well going by the results. Recently, the driver of the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court rushed to the Motor Vehicles Department and paid the fine for speed violation after the department issued a notice. The drivers of most of the state vehicles used by ministers also queue up often at RTO offices to pay the fine.
The master control room of the department at Ernakulam sends out on an average 1,200 notices daily to different addresses in the state. MVD officials say that the cameras installed on NH 47 have been instrumental in reducing accidents. Now the department has proposed to install dummy cameras on both NH 47 and NH 17 as a deterrent.
According to official sources, the regular travellers on these highways are aware of the location of the cameras and they automatically reduce speed when they approach them. The mere presence of the camera, whether functional or not, is forcing the drivers to slow down.
“Our idea is not to penalise motorists but to make them reduce speed. Our cameras are placed at dangerous spots and reducing the speed at these points can also reduce accidents. So we have proposed to install dummy cameras to force the motorists to drive slower,” a senior MVD officer told Deccan Chronicle.
At present, the MVD has 57 cameras installed on NH 47 between Cherthala and Mannuthi. The department is installing 90 cameras on NH 17 from Manjeswaram to Thrissur. “We have six cameras functional on NH 17 in Kasargod region and 20 installed up to Kannur are in the final stages of commissioning. By December, the Ernakulam control room would get camera images from Manjeswaram to Malappuram,” the official added.
( Source : dc )
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