YOU can run, but you can't hide. Street cameras will soon be taking pictures of motorists who stray into bus lanes, park illegally, make illegal modifications to their vehicles, or stop or drive where they shouldn't.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is sourcing for camera technology that will capture all these violations.

It is paying three companies - security firm Cisco Security, computer systems group NCS and electronics specialist ST Electronics - about $800,000 to run two trials on intelligent surveillance systems to see how effective they are in
enforcing the rules under LTA's purview.

Some cameras have already been fitted on SBS buses as part of these trials.

Enforcement of road regulations is now done by a limited number of LTA officers on motorcycles and outsourced wardens.

But street cameras - handheld or mounted on vehicles or kerb-side - can do the job tirelessly and, possibly, more efficiently.

Mr David Chew, executive chairman of Stratech Systems, which bid unsuccessfully to conduct the two trials, said there had been "several" tenders for camera systems.

Besides the trials, the LTA had also invited vendors to provide information on "mobile devices for enforcement and maintenance services". Stratech was among those that responded.

Mr Chew, 49, said his company's intelligent vehicle-access control systems, which can check vehicles seeking entry into secure facilities or at border checkpoints, are already in use in Hong Kong, the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

An LTA spokesman said the authority was looking for technology that could provide portable functions, such as "real-time availability of vehicle records or a digital camera to capture on-site images".

Sources said this capability would enable the LTA to crack down on those who drive deregistered or unregistered cars.

But a top priority for the mobile-camera trials is the enforcement of bus-lane hours, The Straits Times understands.

Previous cameras on buses, introduced in the 1990s, proved unreliable, which is why wardens now do the job.

But with more full-day bus lanes being rolled out, cameras will be more cost-effective. SBS buses have been spotted with the new cameras, which have been taking digital pictures of offenders.

An informed source said: "When a bus driver spots an errant motorist in the bus lane, he presses a button located on his right. This marks the spot where the footage was taken. The date and time are stamped."

The previous system was not as high-tech and user-friendly.

Full-day bus lanes, which are off limits to other vehicles between 7.30am and 8pm from Mondays to Saturdays, are operational in Orchard Road, Eu Tong Sen Street, Hill Street, Victoria Street, Bras Basah Road and Somerset Road.

The LTA is looking for camera systems that are robust and versatile. In one trial, it specified that the system must be able to capture vehicles weaving between lanes as well as speedsters exceeding 150kmh.

It should also be able to read all types of number plates - even off-peak plates, illegal reflective plates and broken and foreign ones.

New camera systems aside, the LTA is installing more J-Eyes - cameras that monitor traffic conditions at road junctions, but which can also be used for enforcement purposes. There are 132 in use now, and another 129 will be up by February next year.

At least one motorist welcomes these electronic eyes. Lawyer Vijai Parwani, 40, said: "It will definitely encourage people to put on their best behaviour on the road, which I suppose is a good thing."

Breaking the rules

Bus-lane violations are the most common traffic infringement the Land Transport Authority (LTA) acts on. About 23,000 summonses are issued every year, each costing offenders $130.

Most parking enforcement is done by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, but parking of heavy vehicles comes under the LTA. Those who park such vehicles outside designated areas risk fines of $100.

Illegal modifications to vehicles range from tinting of windows to a shade darker than that allowed to changing the vehicle's engine. About 1,400 summonses are issued yearly. Offenders can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up
to three months.