A NEW digital radar system that can automatically measure the speed of vehicles and even detect illegal and dangerous overtaking is being tested in central Portugal by police.
The system can also tell if the driver is using his mobile phone while driving, not using his seat belt or ignoring stop signs.
The main difference with the new radar is that it contains a built in camera that captures an image of the offending vehicle and the driver.
The information can then be connected immediately to the information system of the Director General of Transport (DGV) and the police. Within minutes, the police can find out whether the vehicle has any other registered offences through a comprehensive online search.
The new system has been developed to overcome obvious flaws in the current system. The method in place at the moment registers the speeding vehicle after it has passed the police vehicle and sometimes it is not possible to intercept the vehicle in time, unless there are numerous cars on patrol.
This new system can be operated automatically or manually. In the first case, vehicles caught speeding will not have to be stopped by police, as the camera will catch the information automatically. The information is then registered by the police and sent to the residence of the infringing vehicle.
The advantages of the new system are even more beneficial to officers on land. Police can be stationed 200 metres apart with two separate portable computers, which are connected by radar.
At the moment when a car is registered going over the speed limit, both computers will register the offence and the officers stationed at the latter post will be able to stop the vehicle in time.
Furthermore, the officers will have an automatic payment terminal (POS) so that they can charge on the spot fines through Multibanco or credit card.
The operation, named Police in Movement is undergoing preliminary tests in Caldas da Rainha in central Portugal.
