Chinese police press drones to regulate traffic

China will now use drones more regularly after authorities found them useful in apprehending traffic violators on highways in the southwestern Sichuan Province.
Two drones, which can travel up to 100 km per hour, were used during rush hours and were found useful in regulating traffic on the highways, the provincial public security department said.
The drones flew over two highways, one connecting the cities of Chengdu and Zigong, and the other connecting Chengdu with Mianyang. More than 90 traffic incidents were caught on camera by the drones.
The drones can recognise license plates from 100 meters away. The pictures and videos are sent back to ground staff, so the police can take efficient measures to direct traffic flow, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

With a flight radius of 15 km, the drones can fly for up to one hour at a time, and can complete a 30 km round trip in 40 minutes.
The drones' activity was broadcasted live through the provincial traffic police's official Weibo account.
The traffic police will now use drones more regularly, it said.