By Jesse Graham
Seven Yarra Valley drivers got more than they bargained for on Thursday, 23 February, when they were pinged by sheriffs and police running a number plate recognition operation in Coldstream.
The operation was run along Maroondah Highway in Coldstream and Melba Highway in Yarra Glen over the day, with an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) vehicle scanning cars heading into the valley.
As a result of the operation, five drivers had their car wheels clamped until they could pay off fines, five people paid off 17 warrants totalling more than $500 and three drivers with more than 70 warrants worth more than $29,000 were given seven days to pay up – or face losing their licence or vehicle registration.
“This operation was designed to find those people who are deliberately trying to avoid paying their fines, while minimising any inconvenience to other motorists,” Sheriff Brendan Facey said.
“The Sheriff’s Office can apply a range of sanctions to ensure that people take responsibility for their unpaid fines.
“Paying your fines is not voluntary. If you do incur a fine, contact us to discuss your options and deal with it early, before additional penalties apply.”
During the operation, the ANPR vehicle stationed near Coldstream’s residential estate checked vehicles passing by towards Healesville and Yarra Glen.
Police and Sheriff officers further down the highway then directed drivers off the road if they came up with any outstanding fines or warrants.
Yarra Glen police Sergeant Richard Coulson said while the two areas had “pretty good traffic flow” over the day, the operation was quieter than normal – both in passing cars, and drivers picked up for offences.
“I think, just with the day and time … we’ll probably aim for the next one on a weekend,” he said.
He said that on top of the fines and warrants, two unregistered vehicles were detected by the ANPR vehicle, while two other drivers were caught speeding through the area.
The ANPR machine checks registration details and any information that may be held with against the registered owner or vehicle – such as outstanding fines, warrants or unpaid tolls.
“Depending on what the matter relates to, they (Sheriffs) may give them a seven-day notice to organise payment of the fine, or in certain circumstances, they do have the power to clamp a vehicle and suspend registration and or driver’s licences,” Sgt Coulson said.
“People will be held accountable for their outstanding fines, and that’s probably the message.”
He said that drivers caught with unregistered vehicles had blamed difficulty in remembering to renew their registration, because of VicRoads discontinuing stickers on cars, but emphasised that the onus is on drivers to stay on top of their rego.
“The fact is, VicRoads still sends out the reminder that registration is due and people can download their registration reminder apps,” Sgt Coulson said.
“I would strongly suggest to people that may forget to pay their registration on time to download the registration reminder apps.
“At the end of the day, everybody’s got to have a registered vehicle and ensure their current address is updated with VicRoads.”
VicRoads has a section on its website where residents can enter in their registration details, VIN or chassis number, and receive information about whether their rego is current, when it expires, as well as any outstanding issues with the vehicle.
Residents can also check if they have outstanding warrants or fine by contacting Civic Compliance Victoria on 1300 221 249 or at fines.vic.gov.au.
For more information on registration checks, visit vicroads.vic.gov.au.
