Centre mandates verified, stamped radar devices for measuring speed of vehicles

The Union government has notified rules mandating that all radar equipment for speed measurement be verified and stamped to ensure accuracy, the consumer affairs ministry said on Thursday.

The rules, notified under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, will come into effect from July 1.

A committee, chaired by the Director of the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi, framed the draft rules, taking into account international standards outlined in OIML R 91.

Stakeholders, including State Legal Metrology Departments, manufacturers, and verification officers, were consulted extensively, and public feedback was sought via the Department’s website before finalising the regulations.

Radar speed measurement devices operate by detecting the time a vehicle takes to travel between two points or by measuring position changes using radar or laser technologies. Radar devices emit radio waves that bounce off moving vehicles, calculating speed based on the Doppler Effect.

Modern radar systems are highly accurate, can measure the speed of multiple vehicles simultaneously and often include features like automatic target tracking.

Proper calibration ensures the device provides reliable and precise speed readings, the ministry said.

The new rules mandate that all radar equipment for speed measurement be verified and stamped to ensure accuracy. The verified equipment will ensure precise measurement of speed, distance, and other relevant parameters.

“The public would benefit as there would be improved enforcement as verified radar speed guns will accurately measure vehicle speeds, identify violations and enforce traffic laws effectively,” a government release said.

“The verified radar equipment will help in enforcement personnel to measure speed limits effectively, which in turn significantly enhance the effectiveness and credibility of law enforcement officers' in traffic enforcement,” it added.