Photographing traffic violations has increased the number of people caught breaking traffic rules. Last month 1,76,606 traffic offences were booked on evidence provided by surveillance cameras and policemen who have been provided digital cameras. M. A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said traffic violators argue much less now that they are provided with photographic evidence of their violation.
“We send a notice to the traffic violator and if he insists on a picture he can get it from the area police station. Every day these photos are uploaded and saved by the traffic constables,” Mr Saleem explained. Last year Bengalureans paid Rs 50 crore in traffic fines; the rest of the state paid Rs 10 crore. This shows how effective traffic enforcement is in the city, and cameras will only aid the process. Presently the police are using 500 digital cameras backed by 165 surveillance cameras and five enforcement cameras in the city.
The cameras were given to the police in the month of April and so far over 5 lakh cases have been booked with photographic evidence. "After the Blackberry and digital cameras were introduced the numbers of cases that are being booked has gone up. This year the fines will amount to almost Rs 60 crore . Also, the numbers of vehicles have increased on the city roads and new areas are being added. The traffic police is planning to create new jurisdictions for effective management of traffic," said a traffic expert.