Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Jun 30: The installation of speed radar cameras at key junctions along national and state highways in Udupi district has led to a significant decline in speeding and other traffic violations.
The district police have installed radar cameras at six major locations on highways, in addition to deploying police personnel. The enforcement drive is continuing, with fines of Rs 1,000 being imposed on light motor vehicles and Rs 2,000 on heavy vehicles found exceeding the prescribed speed limits.
The district has witnessed a series of accidents due to overspeeding and reckless driving. Between 2024 and May 2026, a total of 635 people lost their lives and 3,257 others sustained injuries in road accidents across the district.
In 2024, 52 speeding cases resulted in fines totalling Rs 52,000. In 2025, 46 cases led to the collection of Rs 46,000 in penalties. By May 2026, 89 speeding cases had been registered, with fines amounting to Rs 91,000.
Since May 21, speed radar cameras have been operational at five locations on National Highways and one location on a State Highway. Since then, the cameras have recorded around 1.19 lac instances of vehicles travelling above the prescribed speed limit.
However, after technical verification of the recorded data, only 10 to 15 challans are being issued per day. Over the past month, a total of 335 challans have been issued to motorists.
Residents have also urged the authorities to install speed radar cameras at major junctions and strategic locations within Udupi city, where accidents caused by overspeeding and rash driving continue to occur. They believe such a move, similar to the highway model, would help regulate vehicle speeds and improve road safety.
During the first two weeks after the radar cameras were installed, an average of 4,500 to 5,300 speeding violations were detected every day. However, following widespread media coverage, motorists became more cautious and reduced their speeds.
As a result, the number of daily speeding violations has now dropped to around 1,600 to 1,700. Likewise, other traffic rule violations, which earlier stood at around 10,000 to 11,000 cases per day, have declined to approximately 5,000 to 6,000 cases daily.
Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said that areas where radar cameras have been installed have witnessed a significant reduction in speeding and other traffic violations.
"We are not issuing notices for every violation captured by the cameras. Our objective is to encourage motorists to voluntarily follow traffic rules. Once the government sanctions additional radar cameras, they will be installed at other key locations across the district. However, if traffic violations continue, strict fines and legal action will be inevitable," he said.