The Karnataka police, deploying advanced technology to monitor speeding on National Highway 275 (connecting Mysuru with Bengaluru), have discovered that more than 80% of violations are by vehicles registered out of state. Officers have decided to file FIRs against drivers exceeding speeds of 120kmph on this stretch, where the maximum speed limit is 100kmph. From the 165,000 tickets issued in June on this NH, only about 10,000 fines have been paid.

In response, Karnataka police plan to coordinate with transport and police authorities from various states to enforce payment of these fines. Additional Director General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety) Alok Kumar emphasised the importance of these measures in reducing fatal accidents. ?Our focus is on checking vehicles at high speed on the NH to cut down fatal accidents. While I was travelling to Mysuru, a driver was driving at a speed of 160kmph, which could endanger fellow road users. I have instructed police officers to file FIRs against those driving beyond 120kmph for rash and dangerous driving,? Kumar told the source.

?We have noticed that vehicles from northern and north-eastern states, and from most other states, are passing through the highway. Drivers have crossed the speed limit, generating tickets on their vehicles. Violations by drivers from one state are the highest. They disregard the law and believe they can escape. We have decided to write to transport and police authorities in their states, seeking assistance in recovering fines,? Kumar added, highlighting that vehicles from Manipur, J&K, Uttarakhand, and other states are frequently spotted on the stretch.

The police are also working closely with AI-powered camera operators to ensure that violations are quickly recorded and processed. ?On average, 5-6k traffic violations, including speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and using a mobile phone while driving, are recorded every day on the stretch between Mysuru and Bengaluru,? Kumar noted.

The implementation of these measures has had a positive impact on road safety. According to Kumar, road deaths on the national highway have significantly dropped from 127 in the first six months of 2023 to 40 during the same period in 2024. ?We will cut down the fatal accidents further,? he affirmed.

Despite the reliance on technology, Alok Kumar has instructed officers to maintain manual checks and issue fines on the spot to violators. ?I have also directed officers to continue manual checking and fine the violators on the spot instead of relying on technology completely,? Kumar stated. (Source: ET)