MUMBAI, Dec. 29 -- In an enforcement drive conducted by the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) using newly procured interceptor vehicles, 3,233 people have been penalised for traffic rules' violations between December 11 and 22 in Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Two-wheeler riders accounted for a significant 71% of the offenders, officials said. According to road transport officials, the highest number of violations was for driving without a helmet. Of those booked, 1,772 were riders not wearing helmets, while 531 were pillion riders without helmets. In addition, 426 motorists were fined for overspeeding and 267 car drivers for not wearing seatbelts. The drive was carried out using advanced interceptor vehicles equipped with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, radar-based speed detection systems, lux meters to measure brightness levels, and artificial intelligence-enabled 360-degree cameras. These systems allow multiple traffic violations to be detected and recorded automatically. "The interceptor vehicles, fitted with state-of-the-art radar systems, were deployed at accident-prone stretches, highways and major arterial roads. Fines amounting to over Rs.33 lakh were imposed during the drive, with two-wheeler riders accounting for the bulk of the violations," an RTO officer said. Officials said that 69 interceptor vehicles were stationed along key corridors, including the Eastern and Western Express Highways, as well as internal city roads across Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). According to the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, penalties for detected violations are automatically imposed. To support the rollout, around 200 motor vehicle inspectors and assistant motor vehicle inspectors were trained last month. With New Year celebrations approaching, officials said, enforcement will be intensified across Mumbai and the MMR. Earlier this year, the procurement of the interceptor vehicles was scrutiny over the cost of radar systems. While each interceptor vehicle costs around Rs.13 lakh, the radar equipment alone is priced at Rs.35.84 lakh per unit. The total cost for procuring 69 vehicles stood at Rs.9.25 crore....