Drive Above 130 Kmph? Get Ready For 6 Months Jail, FIR
Overspeeding has become one of the biggest problems in India. So, in an attempt to curb this issue, a new very strict policy has been introduced by the Karnataka Police. It has been announced by the Karnataka Police that starting from August 1, 2024, any vehicle exceeding 130 kmph on any road in the state will face severe legal consequences. The police authorities have stated that going above 130 kmph could result in up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both for the violators.
130 kmph Speed Rule
The Karnataka Police have taken this decision to lower the issue of speeding and reckless driving. In most cases, overspeeding causes road fatalities in the region. According to the police, recent data reveals that overspeeding contributes to approximately 90% of fatal accidents.
Hence, to reduce this problem, police will now enforce a hard speed limit of 130 kmph on all highways. It has been announced that vehicles caught exceeding this limit will be subject to immediate legal action, including the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs).
It has been highlighted that on July 25, 2024, the police authorities found that speed cameras on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway captured 155 vehicles violating the speed limit. What was more shocking was that the list includes a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus. It has been reported that the bus clocked at 140 kmph.
Current Speed Limits
Presently, the standard speed limit of 130 kmph is an upper threshold. Drivers going beyond this limit will face legal repercussions. However, it is essential to note that many stretches of Karnataka’s highways already have lower speed limits.
For example, the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway has a speed limit of 100 kmph, while the Bengaluru-Pune National Highway-48 is restricted to 80 kmph. The new rule will apply specifically to those exceeding the 130 kmph mark, regardless of the posted speed limits on these stretches.
Laser Guns and ANPRC
The Karnataka Police, in order to effectively enforce these new regulations, have deployed advanced speed laser guns along key highways, including the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, to monitor vehicle speeds round the clock. These devices are capable of accurately recording speeds, even during nighttime.
In addition to laser guns, Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras (ANPRC) have also been installed. These cameras capture images of overspeeding vehicles, along with their speed details. This will make it easier for authorities to identify and take action against violators.
The Karnataka Police have announced that they have deployed a total of 155 speed laser guns across various districts. Each district has received around five to six units. The allocation and strategic placement of these devices are determined by local police officials, stated the police.
FIRs and Penalties
As mentioned above, there will be strict legal consequences for overspeeding. Violations of the speed limit will be prosecuted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 281, which deals with offenses related to reckless driving and endangering public safety.
The prescribed penalties for exceeding the speed limit include fines of up to Rs 2,000 and imprisonment for up to six months. The Karnataka Police will employ both spot and sectional measurements to capture speed data and register FIRs against offenders.
Spot measurements involve the use of cameras to record the speed of vehicles at specific points. In contrast, sectional measurements calculate the average speed of a vehicle over a defined distance. The latter ensures that drivers cannot evade penalties by merely slowing down at camera locations and speeding up afterward.
Reducing Accidents and Promoting Road Safety
The introduction of these stringent measures comes in response to a troubling increase in road accidents, particularly on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, since its inauguration on March 12, 2023. The expressway has earned notoriety as an “accident den” or “highway to hell.”
Around 296 accidents and 132 fatalities were reported between January and June 2023 alone. The Karnataka Police’s new regulations aim to reduce these numbers significantly by deterring dangerous driving practices.