13 January,2024 05:07 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
There are 187 interceptor vehicles for RTOs across the state that are being fitted with special gauges, in addition to a host of other gear, after last year saw an uptick in crashes caused by tyre bursts
Following an increase in fatal road crashes caused by tyre bursts in the state, a new set of interceptor vehicles for Regional Transport Offices (RTO) will be equipped with tyre scanners. A total of 187 interceptor vehicles are being prepared for Maharashtra's RTOs.
While Pune RTOs are getting the highest number of interceptor vehicles at seven each, Mumbai RTOs are getting three each, except for Tardeo RTO, which is getting four.
"Interceptor vans are designed and equipped with advanced technology to detect traffic violations and monitor vehicle speeds to comply with road safety regulations," an RTO official said.
"An interceptor vehicle is equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to capture vehicle registration, a radar device to check the speed of vehicles from 1.5 kilometres away, an alcometer to measure the alcohol content in breath samples, a lux meter to measure brightness, a tint meter to check the type of sun film used on glass windows, and a sound-level meter to measure decibels. Cameras installed on top of the interceptor vehicles can detect number plates at a range of 500 metres," he added.
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"For the first time, the vehicles are also getting tyre tread gauges. These gauges are developed specifically to monitor compliance with safety requirements for a minimum tread depth of automobile tyres. This step was taken considering that last year, many of the accidents on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi highway were a result of tyres of speeding vehicles bursting," the official said.
In an order issued by the transport department, it is mentioned that the Scorpio Classic vehicles have been procured and are getting fitted with the safety equipment and devices. Once they are ready, they shall be dispatched to the respective RTO offices.
