Frustrated by commuters’ misbehaviour during confrontations, Nepal Traffic Police have started using GoPro camera strapped around their body to record such incidents.

Traffic police stationed at New Road, Thapathali, Baneshwor, Durbarmarg and Singha Durbar have started carrying such cameras while on duty from Tuesday. The cameras will be used for recording conversations between drivers during accidents and when they talk to traffic police while being stopped for licence check or violation of traffic rules.

The video recorded by the camera can be used for settling cases pertaining to traffic rule violation. It can record audio from a distance of five metres and is useful for identifying the guilty party. There have also been complaints from several quarters regarding harsh behaviours of traffic police. The recording devices will them understand the sensitivity while dealing with the public.

DIG Prakash Aryal of Traffic Police said, “The drive has been launched to make traffic police more accountable for their actions. As they know that their actions too are being recorded, they will be more aware and act politely while handling such cases.”

The move is aimed at curbing misbehaviours of some ill-mannered riders who give warnings such as ‘suspending the traffic police on duty’. Inspector Sunil Jung Shah at Durbarmarg-based traffic police office said the camera is also useful to know the mistakes on the part of traffic police. The camera is waterproof, Shah said.