Vehicle speed-detection cameras deployed to curb road accidents on Mumbai-Nashik Highway

Officials said the new system aims to address this issue by improving compliance with speed limits. Representational Pic/File

The Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police has launched a six-month pilot project using camera-based speed enforcement on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway to improve road safety and reduce speeding violations, officials said on Thursday.

The project is being implemented in partnership with the Global Road Safety Partnership, under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), which supports road safety programmes worldwide.

As part of the pilot project, five advanced handheld laser-based cameras have been deployed at multiple locations along the highway.

These devices can be mounted on enforcement vehicles, fixed on tripods and used as handheld units, the officials said.

They are capable of detecting speeding vehicles from up to 150 metres away and can record speeds of up to 320 km/h, they said.

High accuracy

According to the officials, the cameras use laser technology to measure vehicle speed with high precision. They can capture violations for both approaching and departing vehicles.

The system is designed for use in all weather conditions, including heavy rain and night-time enforcement. It also features auto-focus and high-resolution imaging for accurate identification of offenders.

Focus on road safety

According to the Maharashtra Road Crash Report for 2023 and 2024, speeding was responsible for nearly 70 per cent of fatal road accidents in the state.

Officials said the new system aims to address this issue by improving compliance with speed limits and reducing high-risk driving behaviour.

Traffic violations could also be monitored

Apart from speeding, the cameras can also detect other violations such as non-use of seat belts and mandatory helmet violations. This makes the system a broader road safety enforcement tool, officials said.

The traffic police personnel have received technical and operational training from GRSP, including device setup, field use, and enforcement procedures.

Speeding data collected over the six-month pilot period will be analysed at the conclusion of the trial project. The officials will assess its effectiveness and decide on further expansion based on the results, said the officials.