New Delhi: To strengthen road safety and ensure fairness in traffic enforcement, the Department of Consumer Affairs has notified rules for radar-based speed measurement equipment under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, effective July 1, 2025. The government states that mandatory verification and stamping will enforce integrity in traffic speed monitoring, accident prevention, and infrastructure protection by ensuring devices are accurate and compliant with regulatory standards, allowing “sufficient” time for industries and enforcement agencies to meet these requirements.
The rules mandate verification and stamping for radar equipment, such as Doppler radar systems, used in traffic enforcement. A committee drafted the regulations based on the international standard OIML R 91, with input from State Legal Metrology Departments, Regional Reference Standard Laboratories, manufacturers, and consumer organisations through presentations and public feedback.
The government claims the rules will ensure accurate speed limit enforcement, reducing unfair penalties and improving road safety for citizens. It states the initiative will support data-driven traffic management, lower road fatalities, enhance highway discipline, and reduce economic losses from accidents and infrastructure damage.
Manufacturers are provided a regulatory framework aligned with OIML R 91, which the government says will support innovation and enhance export competitiveness through consistent quality. Law enforcement agencies are expected to use verified devices for evidence-based enforcement, which the government claims will increase operational effectiveness and public trust. The rules specify technical requirements, including calibration, stable operation under various conditions, and anti-tampering measures.
The government frames the rules as part of legal metrology reforms to modernise infrastructure and ensure verifiable measuring instruments in public enforcement. The July 1, 2025, implementation date allows compliance time for industries and enforcement agencies. The initiative is presented as supporting sustainable economic development by reducing accident-related costs.
– global bihari bureau
