Victoria Police have implemented automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology capable of scanning 45 million vehicles per year, instantly checking for unauthorised drivers.
It will allow police to check drivers who are suspended, disqualified or unlicensed as well as unregistered vehicles, stolen vehicles and fraudulent number plates.
More than 1700 unauthorised motorists were detected during Victoria Police’s recent Christmas operation in just 10 days.
Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing, Glenn Weir believes the technology will give police another set of eyes to stop unauthorised drivers.
“We’re removing more unauthorised drivers from our roads than ever.” said Asst. Commissioner Weir
“They pose a significant risk not only to themselves but to all road users.”
Since the first Victoria Police vehicle fitted with mobile ANPR was implemented in February 2019 more than 97 million number plates have been scanned.
ANPR will also play a big role in Operation Amity, a ramp-up in police activity to reduce road trauma over the Australia Day holiday period.
So far 19 people have died on Victorian roads this year, more than three times the figures recorded this time in 2021.
Unauthorised driving was a factor in around 10 per cent of fatal collisions last year.
As well as all 221 ANPR fitted vehicles, Victoria Police throughout Operation Amity will be utilising their fleet of Alcohol and Drug Testing vehicles and in-car video (ICV)- an embedded device able to record audio and visual evidence during roadside intercepts.
Asst. Commissioner Weir said the rollout of ANPR as of last month will help police in Operation Amity and other operations in future.
“We will use the more than 200 highway patrol vehicles fitted with this technology at every opportunity – especially high-risk holiday periods like Australia Day.” said Comm’r Weir.
Operation Amity commenced at 12:01am on Tuesday 25 January and concludes at midnight tonight.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.
