Free-for-all on Indian freeway
2012-09-12 14:40
LONG ROAD, NO CAMERAS? Indian police officials have complained about faulty cameras on the Yamuna expressway, claiming its difficult to catch speeding drivers.
Author: Kumar Vikram
NEW DELHI, India - Driving on the wide, signal-free Yamuna Expressway which connects Greater Noida and Agra can be a delight but exceeding the speed limit presents a major hazard for fellow travellers on the 165km stretch - especially when speed cameras don't work.
Greater Noida police can't prosecute speeders because the communication system and cameras frequently fail. Only 25 summonses have been issued but even then offenders often go scot-free because the police are unable to issue challans (summonses) thanks to glitches in the system, The Daily Mail reported.
FAULTY SYSTEM
One is legally allowed to drive at 100km/h on the expressway but many drivers go beyond 125km/h.
“One of the cameras recorded the speed but complete details of the violation could not reach us," police said. "So, we could not issue a challan. When we told the offender he had violated the speed limit he immediately asked for proof… but our link with the control room was not working.”
An officer said the speed cameras rarely worked. "We've complained and work is in progress to rectify the system."
TEMPTED TO SPEED
The cameras can record speed, capture number plates and work at night with infra-red. Once completely functional, they will be very helpful in controlling over-speeding and dangerous driving.
“It's a general tendency among the drivers to accelerate when roads are open and empty," police told the Mail. "Considering this, these cameras were installed."
While the expressway witnessed heavy traffic during initial days of operation when it was toll-free, officials claimed that around 5 000-6 000 vehicles used the stretch daily.
Officials said the expressway authority is now getting speed and maintenance advisories published in the form of printed material to be handed over to motorists before they enter the expressway.
An official working at the control room of the Yamuna Expressway authority told the Mail: “Our engineers are at work and soon the system will start functioning in full capacity.”
