New rules for traffic radar equipment verification take effect from July 1: Government

New Delhi: The government said on Friday that it will implement new regulations starting July 1, requiring mandatory verification and stamping of traffic radar equipment to improve road safety and implementation accuracy across the country. After extensive consultation with stakeholders, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has notified the rules, including the Indian Institute of Legal Metrics, regional reference laboratories, manufacturers and vehicle certification organizations.

“These rules will come into force on July 1, 2025, providing sufficient time for industry and law enforcement agencies to comply with these regulations,” the ministry said in a statement.

The new rules that follow the legal metrology (general) rules of 2011 will apply to “microwave Doppler radar equipment” widely used to measure the speed of vehicles on the road.
These rules specify detailed technical and safety requirements to ensure proper calibration, stable operation under various environmental conditions and protection against tampering. Such measures will promote a culture of technical reliability and legal liability.

The new framework requires all speed measurement equipment to be validated and receive official stamps before deployment. The process is designed to ensure accurate readings of speed and distance measurements, which is crucial for traffic law enforcement.

The implementation of these rules provides significant benefits to all stakeholders in a comprehensive manner. For ordinary citizens, mandatory verification and stamping of radar-based speed measurement equipment will ensure accurate execution of speed limits, preventing unfair penalties and significantly improving road safety. For industries, especially those involving the manufacturing of radar-based speed measurement equipment, the new rules establish a clear technical and regulatory framework that is consistent with international standards.

For law enforcement agencies, the introduction of proven and stamped equipment ensures higher operational efficiency and credibility.

This plan is a critical step towards data-driven governance in traffic management. It helps reduce road deaths, strengthen discipline on highways, and supports sustainable economic development by minimizing social and economic costs associated with road accidents, vehicle wear and damage to infrastructure.