When numbers fade or vanish, the eyes of the law blink in uncertainty.
Defective Plates Stall Enforcement
Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) are facing a growing challenge from defective and non-standard vehicle registration number plates, which often escape detection by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Over the last three years, BTP has booked more than 4.2 lakh cases related to defective plates: 1,50,861 cases in 2023, 1,57,665 in 2024, and 1,50,861 cases in 2025 until November.
Senior traffic officers noted that faded, broken, or deliberately obscured plates, sometimes covered with tape or paper, allow violators to evade e-challans for overspeeding, signal violations, and other offences. “Defective number plates also delay investigations into hit-and-run cases and street crimes like robberies involving vehicles. Even when CCTV footage is available, unclear number plates slow down investigations,” said a senior officer. Delivery personnel usually comply with proper plates, but some tamper intentionally. “Wheelie offenders, in particular, often avoid displaying number plates altogether to escape police action,” the officer added. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-West) Anoop Shetty said that cases will also be filed at law-and-order police stations for intentional misuse of tampered plates.
HSRP and Tech Innovations to the Rescue
Experts say implementing High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) can curb this problem. Traffic expert Prof MN Sreehari emphasised that strict enforcement by RTOs and traffic police, coupled with tamper-proof HSRP plates, would act as a deterrent. A senior BTP officer explained, “Coordinated enforcement by the RTOs and police, including fines and seizure of vehicles in repeat cases, will act as a strong deterrent.”
Meanwhile, Bengaluru techie Pankaj Tanwar has developed an AI-powered helmet capable of scanning, logging, and automatically uploading traffic violations. He met Joint Commissioner of Traffic, Karthik Reddy, to discuss possibly integrating the system with the Bengaluru Traffic Police’s ASTraM (Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Traffic Management) app. This would enable citizens to document violations more efficiently and automatically, enhancing enforcement and public participation.
With sharper tools and smarter technology, even the faintest numbers on plates may no longer hide those who break the law.
Summary
Bengaluru Traffic Police face challenges as defective vehicle registration plates evade ANPR detection, affecting enforcement and crime investigations. Over three years, over 4.2 lakh cases were booked. Experts recommend tamper-proof HSRP plates and coordinated RTO enforcement. Tech innovations, like an AI-powered helmet by Pankaj Tanwar, may integrate with the ASTraM app to automate reporting of traffic violations.
