The Police and Transport Department will launch two digital traffic enforcement camera systems on May 17 to enhance road safety.

They are the Speed Enforcement Digital Camera System and the Red Light Digital Camera System, procured through a road safety project initiated by the department at a respective contract sum of $11.9 million and $12.7 million.

The first comprises eight digital cameras deployed in rotation at 75 selected sites, distributed along expressways and strategic routes, while 12 digital cameras for the second will be mounted on a rotational basis on 60 enforcement sites at selected road junctions.

All sites have been identified by the Police and the department to be either potential accident blackspots or locations with high red light jumping and speeding activities.

Some of the camera housing posts will be painted orange as a trial scheme to enhance their deterrent effect.

Automating traffic enforcement

Unlike conventional enforcement devices such as laser guns and radars which require manual operation, the camera units will capture images of offending vehicles automatically.

The digital images will then be stored in an encrypted format for subsequent processing by computer. A specially designed programme has been developed by the force to automate most of the enquiry and prosecution process which was previously handled manually.

The systems will greatly increase the deterrent effect against speeding and red light jumping, improving road safety.

The computerised systems will also free-up resources to reinforce continuous enforcement action on high-speed roads.

A comprehensive list of the enforcement sites has been uploaded to the Police website.