Traffic cams must be able detect no seatbelt, wrong-side driving, phone-use: SOP submitted in SC

NEW DELHI: The central govt wants states and local agencies to ensure cameras used for detecting traffic rule violations are capable of catching people not wearing seatbelt or helmet, driving on the wrong side, using mobile phone, and eating and drinking while driving, among other offences.
The cameras should also be able to capture videos, even if vehicles are at 200 kmph, state the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the electronic enforcement of the motor vehicles law across states and UTs, which was submitted to the Supreme Court by the road transport and highways ministry. The SOP aims at preventing a large number of road crashes and fatalities due to wrong-side and distracted driving.
The SOP was prepared following an SC order directing 23 states and seven UTs to file compliance reports indicating the implementation of electronic monitoring as provided in the Central Motor Vehicles act. The automated camera enforcement system of traffic rules is the default mode for electronic enforcement and generating prosecutable evidence, focusing on accountability of violators and enforcement agencies.
As per the submitted SOP, the cameras installed should automatically generate evidence of distracted drivers, particularly of those using mobile phones, eating or drinking and not wearing seatbelt, both during the day and night. The cameras should capture an offence, including a one second to 10 seconds video having vehicle, location, time and date details, even when vehicles are travelling up to 200 kmph, without motion blur. The system needs to process violations within “one” second and generate real-time alerts for enforcement authorities.

In the case of driving against the flow of traffic, the system would need to use cameras, sensors and advanced algorithms to detect the violation automatically. It should be able to differentiate between actual violations and permitted movements, such as those of police, ambulance, fire brigade. The system must capture high-resolution images of the violating vehicle and a five-second video before and after detection of violation.
Similarly, to rein in vehicle owners and drivers who change phone numbers and addresses to evade paying fines, the ministry will have a one-time three-month window to verify and update the details, and after that it will be a prerequisite for availing any transport and driving licence-related services.
As it was reported in TOI on March 31, the SOP lays down the details for stringent action against non-payment of pending e-challans, including suspension and confiscation of driving licence and registration certificate, and higher insurance premium if fines remain unpaid.
The SOP also specifies setting up of online systems across states to enable drivers and vehicle owners to challenge challans issued by traffic police or transport officials. If a person is dissatisfied with the imposed fine, they can escalate the matter to the designated grievance redressal authority within 30 days from the date of issue of challan. If grievance isn’t addressed within 30 days, the challan notice will be treated as quashed.
The idea of drafting the SOP was floated by the SC Committee on Road Safety, and this was finalised after deliberations with the ministry and 10 states where the number of road deaths is high.