Technology making roads safer
Victorian police will be rolling out new road safety technology across their highway patrol cars.
Last Wednesday Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville joined the road policing command at the unveiling of the first highway patrol car fitted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition and in-car video technology.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition and in-car camera will allow police to automatically check for unregistered vehicles, unlicensed drivers, if a car has been stolen and find out if the car’s owner has outstanding warrants.
The technology will be able to scan up to 2500 number plates an hour.
Ms Neville said the new technology was yet another sign the Andrews Government was ensuring Victoria Police has the technology it needs.
‘‘We’re making sure Victoria Police has all the resources they need to nab dangerous drivers and get them off our roads,’’ she said.
‘‘We’ve had a shocking start to the road toll this year; Automatic Number Plate Recognition will help target motorists who shouldn’t be on the road.’’
The technology will help Victoria Police quickly identify stolen cars which are often used to commit other crimes.
It’s also expected to be used in identify fuel thieves.
The in-car video cameras will allow video and audio recording of police activity which can then be used in court as evidence.
It is also hoped the cameras will help protect police officers though the public’s awareness that they’re being filmed.
The first vehicle to be fitted with the technology will be based in Bendigo with the technology being installed in the other 38 highway patrol vehicles by the middle of 2019.
The roll-out of the new technology will be completed by 2021.
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition and in-car technology is part of the Andrews Government’s $2 billion Community Safety commitment.
The technology is part of the state government’s push to ensure that Victoria Police has the latest technology available to assist them in keeping communities safe and it comes after smart devices and body cameras were given to frontline police officers.
It has also been announced that 10 new alcohol and drug testing buses are being delivered to replace the current fleet.
Ms Neville said the upgrades were part of a bigger investment in Victoria Police.
‘‘These upgrades are part of our biggest ever investment in Victoria Police which is delivering 3135 extra police and the latest equipment to keep the community safe.’’