Tamluk, Feb. 27: The East Midnapore administration has been using two laser guns to catch vehicles speeding on a 90km single-lane road leading to Digha and other beach resorts.

The administration has also restricted the speed limit of vehicles on the Nandakumar-Digha Road, which got the national highway status (NH116B) about two years ago.

Deputy superintendent of police (traffic) Swapan Kumar Ghosh said: "The maximum speed limit for cars and buses has been fixed at 50kmph and that of trucks at 40kmph. We have purchased two laser speed guns to keep a check on speeding vehicles. Offenders will be fined Rs 700 the first time. For the second offence, the fine will be Rs 1,500."

District police chief Alok Rajoria said the 90km stretch was congested and accidents occurred frequently. "In most cases, the main reason was speeding," the SP said.

A police officer said altogether 90 accidents had occurred on the road between October and December last year, when tourists frequent the beach resorts. In 2015, 82 accidents had taken place during the same period. In 2014, the figure was 70.

"Each laser gun costs about Rs 10 lakh. The gun sends out a beam of laser light at the vehicle it is aimed at with an optical sight. When the light is reflected back to the laser unit, it provides a speed reading. If a vehicle is found to be speeding, the traffic police personnel on the road ahead will be informed and the vehicle will be fined," the officer said.