In a major initiative to enhance road safety, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police have deployed specialised speed radar guns along the busy Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district to curb overspeeding and reduce accidents.
The advanced devices are designed to monitor the speed of moving vehicles in real time and identify traffic violators. Overspeeding has been identified as one of the leading causes of fatal accidents on the highway, a key transit corridor in the region.
Deputy Superintendent of Traffic Police Udhampur Pankaj Sudan said recent accident data revealed that reckless driving and excessive speed were major contributors to highway mishaps.
“To check overspeeding and take action against violators, speed radar guns have been provided by the police headquarters. Any vehicle found exceeding the speed limit is automatically captured by the system, and an e-challan is instantly sent to the registered mobile number of the vehicle owner,” he said.
According to officials, the radar guns are integrated with a digital enforcement mechanism that automatically generates electronic challans for traffic violations. Sudan said the initiative would significantly strengthen enforcement and help prevent accidents caused by overspeeding on the highway.
He also emphasised the psychological impact of the surveillance system, stating that motorists tend to slow down after noticing the radar equipment. “We have observed that drivers reduce their speed whenever they see the radar guns deployed on the highway. This creates a deterrent effect and encourages people to drive within the prescribed speed limits,” he said.
The traffic police officer expressed hope that regular enforcement through radar surveillance would gradually promote responsible driving habits among commuters and contribute to long-term road safety.
Officials said the electronic monitoring system has been operational for the past two days and will continue as a permanent traffic management measure, particularly ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
The move is expected to improve highway safety and ensure smoother traffic movement during the pilgrimage season.
