PANAJI
As Thursday marked the debut of AI-powered cameras, hundreds of reckless rule-breakers on the roads were detected with the traffic personnel soon to begin issuing challans to owners of violating vehicles.
The high-tech cameras started detecting traffic offenses at 13 significant locations in Panaji, Merces junction, Porvorim, and Dona Paula.
While the authorities are getting accustomed to the new system, a rough compilation of the figures indicates 500-600 violations were detected in a single day.
The Merces junction, where the AI cameras made its first trial in March, reported around 422 violations. Of these, a maximum of 315 were ‘not wearing of seats belts’ while 95 riders were caught without helmets, seven cases of ‘overloading two-wheelers’, and five cases of using phones while riding/driving.
Superintendent of Police Dharmesh Angle said the violators will be given sufficient time to pay their challans. “We will follow the procedure wherein once the violation is caught on camera, we identify the owner of the vehicle after which a notice is issued informing about the violation and to pay the fine. We will give sufficient time to pay the challans,” he said speaking to The Goan.
Even as the technology is new to the government stakeholders (Traffic, Transport, PWD, etc) as well as the road users, Angle said the violators will not be spared.
“A violation is a violation. Whoever is caught violating the traffic rules as of now, will be challaned. We cannot let it go,” he said.
With the commencement of AI cameras, the traffic signals resumed functioning at a few junctions.
