Need for speed makes Delhi roads unsafe

Till June 15, this year, as many as 1,44,384 vehicles have been prosecuted for over-speeding as compared to 1,32,814 prosecutions throughout 2014, revealed records of Delhi Police.

It shows that while an average of around 364 vehicles had been prosecuted every day for over-speeding in the previous year, as many as 870 per day are being prosecuted presently. This indicates a 139 <g data-gr-id="32">per cent</g> increase in the rate of per day prosecution for the speed lovers.

“The prosecution figures have gone up because of more efficient policing with the help of the speed interceptors inducted and launched in <g data-gr-id="33">December,</g> 2014. We are planning to avail more of them very soon,” said Sandeep Goel, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic).

Of the 1,32,814 vehicles prosecuted for over-speeding in 2014, a little more than 1,25,000 were private cars. Trucks accounted for around 2500 of them, and as many as 400 were buses – both private and DTC. The rest of them were two-wheelers, revealed records.

Before speed interceptors, Delhi Police used hand-held radar detectors to catch speed violators. But if missed, there were no ways they could be caught again. But the light-based cameras fitted in the interceptors can capture details of the traffic violators – including the registration number – under any weather condition, both in day and night, said a police official.

Earlier, bikers violating speed regulations often used to escape due to limitations of the older technology. With the help of interceptors, the traffic police have prosecuted relatively more bikers this year. However, the records are yet to be prepared, the official added.

Speed-limits differ from <g data-gr-id="31">road</g> to road and also for the type of vehicle on each of them. It is a punishable offence under Sections 112 and 183 of the Motor Vehicles Act.