RLVD system installed in Prayagraj; red signal violators to get e-challan on mobiles

Prayagraj: Once the lockdown gets over if one is caught on camera jumping a red ligh, he/she will get an e-challan on the violator’s registered mobile or the home address.
After opening of the traffic signaling system during the fourth lockdown, the traffic police authorities have also chalked out a plan to teach strict lesson to traffic rules violators once the lockdown is over.
SP (Traffic ) Kuldeep Singh said that traffic police authorities would take strict action against those jumping red lights. “After installation of ‘Red Light Violation Detector’ (RLVD) at 20 crossings of the city to identify commuters jumping traffic signals, an e-challan will be issued on the registered mobile of the violator or will be dispatched at his/her home address”, he added.
Earlier, there was a proposal to make RLVD functional from March this year but could not be implemented due to lockdown.
The SP said that Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) authorities and traffic police have completed all preparations to get RLVD implemented once the lockdown was over. The RLVD machines have been installed at 20 crossings, which include Dhobi Ghat crossing, Rana Pratap crossing, Balson, UPPSC, and Johnstonganj crossings. A senior traffic cop said, “The step will ensure safe driving for all two and four wheeler riders, assisting pedestrians in crossing roads safely and ensuring compliance with road traffic rules.”
According to experts, the RLVD system is a tool for mass surveillance and can automatically capture an image of any vehicle found violating traffic norms. The RLVD system will capture an image of the vehicle’s licence plate and then read the number after performing an optical character recognition.
Once a traffic light turns red, the RLVD system’s camera will automatically capture an image of a vehicle which hovers over its sensors for less than the stipulated time. The system will encrypt and transfer the data collected to the police control room. The system would speed up generation of e-challans along with photo evidence, said an expert.
Traffic police officials said there is more rush on streets from 7am to 10am and then from 5 pm to 8pm. The volume of vehicles plying on roads also increases between 1 pm and 2 pm when most of the schools get over.
It is a fact is that majority of commuters jump the red traffic light to reach their destination early, and openly violate traffic norms. With RLVD system, traffic cops would be able to tighten the noose around traffic rules violators, said a traffic police official.