News
Hi-tech number plates to keep tabs on vehicles
A Radio Frequency Identification system to be introduced to new number plates will help police to keep close tabs on vehicle movements.
The new number plates will be introduced next year, Motor Traffic Commissioner General Jagath Chandrasiri told the Sunday Times.
The vehicles with the new number plates could be tracked by the nearest tower to be installed soon. These towers will be similar to the mobile phone towers that help track the location of mobile phones.
Motor Traffic Commissioner Thushara F. Suraweera said the new system would be first introduced to new vehicles when registered and thereafter to other vehicles gradually. He said the identification system could be made use of by the police in the event forged number plates were used and would also be useful in cracking down on crimes where vehicles were involved.
Police Traffic Director Indika Hapugala said that system would enable authorities to monitor online the movement of vehicles.
This would be similar to monitoring through CCTV cameras and initially the towers would be installed in Colombo, he said.
“In the event of an accident or crime the vehicle could be followed through the towers enabling easy detection of the vehicle,” he added.