Salem’s traffic authorities have unveiled a comprehensive strategy to curb rampant speeding on national highways within city limits, announcing the installation of eight Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras across two key junctions: Erumapalayam on the Salem–Ulundurpet route and Ariyanoor on the Salem–Coimbatore corridor. The initiative, backed by an investment of ₹10 lakh and expected to be operational by mid‑August, is part of a broader push to enhance road safety and reduce accidents, especially during nocturnal hours when overspeeding is most prevalent.
The Salem City Police will install four ANPR cameras at each site, synchronised with existing traffic infrastructure. These advanced systems will automatically record the speed and number plates of vehicles exceeding the 80 km/h limit, generating real‑time data for processing violations. This forms the latest extension of a city‑wide traffic modernization strategy; earlier installations include 24 ANPR cameras at Five Roads Junction, which augment helmet and seatbelt compliance checks at 31 traffic signals. Police assessments indicate that between 700 and 800 vehicles daily breach the speed limit along these highway stretches. “Excessive speed remains a leading factor in catastrophic crashes,” noted a senior traffic official, citing frequent nighttime collisions on both the Salem–Ulundurpet and Salem–Coimbatore highways.
To mitigate these incidents, the addition of ANPR surveillance is complemented by the deployment of physical barricades, urging drivers to adhere to prescribed speed thresholds. Beyond technological interventions, city police emphasise equitable enforcement and citizen awareness. ANPR data will support a transparent system of speed-related penalties, aiming to deter habitual offenders without excessive punitive measures. Officials pledge that all footage and records will be handled with due respect to privacy regulations and in line with judicial oversight protocols. This initiative aligns with the city’s broader vision of fostering sustainable, safer urban transport ecosystems. Humble residents like shopkeeper Ravi Kumar have welcomed the move: “We hope this will finally bring consistency in speed enforcement and reduce late-night tragedies.”
As Salem scales its monitoring infrastructure, the ANPR rollout represents both a technological leap and a community-centred approach, complementing existing measures and reinforcing the message that road safety is a shared civic responsibility.
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