Cops can track traffic violators anywhere in Karnataka

Traffic police in a particular district at present have no clue about a motorist's violations elsewhere in the state.

Now, with the plan to implement a unified system across the state, the entire data of traffic violations across the state would be linked to a central server from where each and every traffic police station can access violations of a particular vehicle anywhere in Karnataka.  

There are 114 traffic police stations in the 30 districts. At present, traffic violation data are registered only in the district traffic police server, not on the state server.

"A centre for this unified server will be constructed in the Traffic Management Centre in Bengaluru and separate staff will be hired to maintain and run it,''  said M A Saleem, commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety (Additional Charge).

"All the details related to the violation will be registered and can be accessed by police officers anytime on the ground. This will also increase fine collection and bring down traffic violations,"   he said.

The traffic police also plan to introduce Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices in all districts. The PDA system helps book violations and enables fine payment through cards.

 "Already, 44 police stations in Bengaluru and five in Mysuru use PDAs. Once the unified system server is introduced, 300 PDAs will be given to the traffic police in all districts. We will also train selected assistant sub-inspectors, sub-inspectors and inspectors on using PDAs," Saleem added.

The Bengaluru traffic police use 625 PDAs and will get 150 more by April this year.
These handheld devices have in-built printers, cameras and enforcement applications to register traffic violations.

The gadgets also take pictures and record videos. The GPS will help record the place and time of the traffic violation.

"Details like type of violations, vehicle details and the fine amount will be available in the unified system. The police officer can access the information whenever needed," he added.