Even Late-Night Speeding Will Get You Busted In This City: Cops Now Have Laser Guns

Chandigarh, known for its wide roads and meticulously planned sectors, has long been a magnet for those who love to press the accelerator after dark. With less traffic and fewer patrols, night-time drives often turn into speed trials. But that might be about to change. The city’s traffic police are now deploying laser speed guns at night in a targeted crackdown on reckless driving, shattering the long-held myth that the cover of darkness offers immunity to speedsters.

The City That Doesn’t Sleep - And Neither Do Its Speed Guns

Until recently, most enforcement tools in the city, like speed cameras and traditional radar guns, were largely ineffective once the sun went down. Automated enforcement depended heavily on daylight or well-lit zones, while on-ground checks were few and far between at night. For many drivers, this meant one thing: the late hours were a free pass to fly down empty stretches.

But the traffic police have caught on. In a move that marks a shift in how speed-related offences are policed, Chandigarh has introduced handheld laser speed guns capable of functioning effectively even in low-light conditions.

These compact, tripod-mounted devices use laser beams instead of radio waves to measure the speed of individual vehicles with pinpoint accuracy, even at a distance of hundreds of metres.

Why the Night Shift Now Matters

The decision to roll out late-night speed checks didn’t come out of nowhere. Over the past year, police data shows a worrying pattern - serious accidents are more likely to occur between 10 pm and 2 am, often involving over-speeding, alcohol, or both. Empty roads tempt even seasoned drivers to push boundaries, unaware of how quickly things can go wrong.

One high-speed crash on Madhya Marg or the Chandigarh-Mohali stretch is often enough to block traffic and put multiple lives at risk. Unlike the daytime, emergency response times are also slower at night, making such incidents even more dangerous.

With laser speed guns now operational post-10 pm on key stretches like Dakshin Marg, Purv Marg, and IT Park roads, the idea is simple: create a strong deterrent where it was missing most. The message is clear; speeding after dark is no longer going to be tolerated just because the roads are empty.

Precision Policing, Not Blanket Punishment

The new enforcement strategy isn’t just about catching more people, but catching the right people. Traditional speed radars would often flag an entire stream of vehicles without distinguishing the real culprits. Laser guns, by contrast, can zero in on individual cars, picking out the one car in a group that’s actually over the limit.

This also means fewer unnecessary fines and more accurate enforcement, which is a welcome shift for everyday drivers. The police, in fact, have been instructed to focus on repeat offenders and unusually high speeds rather than ticketing borderline violations.

A Culture Shift on the Horizon?

We have, for years, wondered whether Indian traffic enforcement is reactive rather than preventive. The Chandigarh Police’s move to patrol nights with laser guns could be seen as a rare example of proactive enforcement, especially in a country where rules often fall asleep after sunset.

It also speaks to the broader evolution of traffic management across cities. Technology-led enforcement is gradually replacing the unpredictable manual style that allowed many to get away.

With cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru investing in AI cameras and number-plate recognition, Chandigarh’s laser speed guns show that smaller cities are catching up fast, and, in some ways, setting the bar higher.

What Drivers Need to Know

If you’re a regular on the city’s roads after hours, the new normal requires a rethink. Sticking to the speed limit isn’t just about avoiding a challan; it’s about acknowledging that even late-night roads are part of a shared space. The idea that fewer cars equals fewer consequences no longer holds true.

For car lovers and late-night drivers, this doesn’t mean the end of an enjoyable drive. It simply means those drives now need to be safe, legal, and responsible. A powerful car or a high-end bike still deserves to be enjoyed, but within limits that ensure everyone gets home in one piece.

As for those who saw night drives as a window to flout rules, the window just shut. And this time, the laser's watching.