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SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 1992
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NEW DEVICE TO CATCH *RED-HANDED" DRIVERS IGNORING RED LIGHTS
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A NEW DEVICE WILL BE PUT ON TRIAL AT SIGNALISED ROAD JUNCTIONS TO CHECK ON VEHICLES IGNORING A RED-LIGHT SIGNAL ΤΟ ENHANCE ROAD
SAFETY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING TO INSTALL A NUMBER OF RED-LIGHT CAMERAS AT ROAD JUNCTIONS WHERE RIGHT-ANGLED COLLISION ACCIDENTS WERE FREQUENT.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 2,932 ACCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SIGNALISED ROAD JUNCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. ABOUT 12 PER CENT OF WHICH INVOLVED RIGHT-ANGLED COLLISIONS THAT WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO VEHICLES NOT COMPLYING WITH RED-LIGHT SIGNAL.
"DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD, CAMERA UNITS WILL BE INSTALLED AT TWO LOCATIONS AND ADVANCE WARNING SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP AT REASONABLE DISTANCE BEFORE THE CAMERA,' THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RED LIGHT CAMERA WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHOOT PHOTOGRAPHS OF VEHICLES THAT IGNORE A RED LIGHT AT A SIGNALISED ROAD JUNCTION.
WHEN THE RED LIGHT IS ON, THE CAMERA WILL BE ACTIVATED ΤΟ A STAND-BY MODE.
LINKED WITH A SET OF DETECTOR. LOOPS LAID BEYOND THE STOP LINE OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT WILL BE TRIGGERED AND TAKE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS IF A RUNNING VEHICLE IGNORING THE RED LIGHT IS DETECTED.
IF A SECOND CAR VIOLATES THE SIGNAL BEFORE THE SECOND PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PRECEDING CAR HAS BEEN SHOT, THE THIRD AND FOURTH PHOTOGRAPHS WILL THEN BE TAKEN.
THE SYSTEM IS OPERATIONAL
ROUND-THE-CLOCK UNDER ANY WEATHER
CONDITION.
EACH PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN WILL SHOW THE VEHICLE WITH THE RED LIGHT SIGNAL ON. THE DATE AND TIME OF THE OFFENCE AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED ON THE PHOTOGRAPH.
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"THIS WILL PROVIDE A STRONG PROSECUTION EVIDENCE IN COURT AGAINST A DRIVER IGNORING THE RED-LIGHT SIGNAL AT A JUNCTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MOTORISTS OR THE VEHICLE OWNERS CONCERNED WILL BE PROSECUTED AND LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE AND A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES.
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"IN ADDITION, FAILING ΤΟ COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC SIGNALS, THE DRIVER WILL BE SUBJECT TO INCURRING THREE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS, HE ADDED.
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