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New Technology To Target Dangerous Drivers In Bendigo

13 February 2019

Victoria Police will be able to keep a closer watch on dangerous drivers with new road safety technology rolling out across Victoria Police’s highway patrol fleet.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville today joined the road policing command to unveil the first highway patrol vehicle fitted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition and in-car video technology.

The first highway patrol vehicle fitted with this technology will be stationed in Bendigo, providing state-of-the-art recording technology to significantly boost Victoria Police’s ability to get dangerous drivers and vehicles off the road, scanning up to 2500 number plates an hour.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will check for unlicensed drivers, unregistered or stolen vehicles, drivers with interlock conditions, and motorists with outstanding warrants.

The Automatic Number Plate Recognition will also play an important role in helping Victoria Police identify offenders using stolen cars and assist in solving fuel theft.

The in-car video technology will allow the highway patrol to record audio and video footage of road policing activities, including roadside intercepts.

The high-quality recording can be used as evidence in court hearings and will help protect police members through the public’s awareness that they are being filmed.

The technology will be installed across 38 highway patrol vehicles by the middle of the year, with the full rollout to be completed in 2021.

The roll out is backed by the Andrews Labor Government’s $2 billion Community Safety Statement commitment to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology across 221 highway patrol vehicles.

Ten new state-of-the-art alcohol and drug testing buses are also being delivered as part of a $15 million boost from the Labor Government to replace Victoria Police’s ageing fleet.

Quote attributable to Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville

“We’re making sure Victoria Police has all the resources they need to nab dangerous drivers and get them off our roads.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan

“This technology will play an essential role in making sure Bendigo is a safer city to drive in and I look forward to seeing this technology rolled out across Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

“The rollout of this technology is a fantastic policing initiative and can give drivers in Bendigo confidence knowing that Victoria Police have the resources and capability to keep dangerous drivers and cars off our roads.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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