New Delhi: The Legal Metrology Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has notified the Rules for Radar Equipment for the measurement of speed of vehicles under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution in a statement informed that these rules will come into force from July 1, 2025. For framing the draft rules, a committee was formed under the Chairmanship of the Director, Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi, which submitted the initial draft based on OIML R 91.
Presentation on the draft rules was made for State Legal Metrology Departments, RRSL officers, manufacturers and VCOs to explain the requirements of rules, the ministry said.
The rules were published on the website of the department for public consultation before finalisation under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 and were finalised after considering the inputs provided by stakeholders, the ministry informed.
According to the ministry, the Rules provide that all such equipment shall be verified and stamped to ensure their correctness for the protection of human beings. The rules will also 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. The verified radar equipment will help enforcement personnel to measure speed limits effectively, which in turn significantly enhance the effectiveness and credibility of law enforcement officers in traffic enforcement, the ministry said.
The verified and stamped Radar equipment for the measurement of the speed of vehicles is crucial for preventing accidents, and wear & tear on roads, it added.
Speed measurement devices work by detecting the time it takes for a vehicle to travel between two points or by measuring changes in position over time using radar, laser, or other technologies. Radar devices emit radio waves that bounce off moving vehicles, calculating speed based on the Doppler Effect, the ministry said.
All these methods rely on precise calibration to ensure their measurements are accurate and reliable. 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, it said.
