The Police Department has purchased 30 advanced speed guns with cutting-edge global technology to identify and prosecute speeding drivers. These devices have been distributed among traffic divisions in 30 police stations across the country.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, Director of the Traffic Headquarters, these speed guns can not only record the speed of a vehicle but also automatically capture images of the driver and the vehicle’s number plate. When a driver is caught speeding, a printed copy of the data, including the date, time, and speed, can be provided on the spot. This advanced laser technology allows clear images to be captured even at night.
SSP Ranagala highlighted that the data recorded by these speed guns eliminates any possibility of false accusations against drivers.
With documented evidence of the driver’s face, the vehicle number, and the exact speed, both officers and drivers are held accountable, leaving no room for disputes.
Previously, basic speed guns were used to catch speeding drivers on regular roads, while high-speed highways had more advanced equipment. The new devices, costing Rs. 91 million, surpass the technology of the existing speed monitoring systems. These laser-based devices, produced in the United States, are specifically designed for nighttime operations, said Police Spokesperson SSP Buddhika Manatunga.
On November 11, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya distributed the new devices to traffic officers at the Police Headquarters. Training sessions have also been initiated for officers to ensure proper use of the equipment. Additionally, the Police Department plans to acquire 15 more speed guns in the near future.
SSP Manatunga further revealed that of the 24,589 road accidents reported in 2024, 731 were caused by speeding. Police filed 31,182 cases related to speeding during the same year. He acknowledged that a significant number of older speed guns were non-functional, making it challenging for traffic officers to enforce speed regulations and minimise accidents.
Before receiving the new devices, each district only had one or two operational speed guns. The National Audit Office reported that since the purchase of 25 speed guns in 2016, no new devices were acquired until the end of 2023. Despite repeated requests for 500 speed guns from 2018 to 2023, only a fraction was approved.
Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe
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