Automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR) will help Victoria Police target unauthorised drivers this Australia Day long weekend.
Operation Amity will see police across the state detecting and removing drivers and motorcyclists who are unlicensed, suspended and disqualified from Victoria’s roads.
It is estimated that ANPR can scan up to 76 million number plates each year — or 8675 number plates an hour.
During a recent statewide road policing operation, ANPR helped police detect 1021 motorists who should not be on the roads, 33 per cent more than the previous year.
It comes as unauthorised drivers were involved in 31 fatal collisions last year, a 29 per cent increase on the previous year.
“Our capability to detect and enforce against unauthorised drivers and motorcyclists has never been greater,” Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir said.
“These drivers have no right to be on our roads and pose a significant risk, not only to themselves but to all road users. Increasingly, we’re seeing unauthorised drivers involved in road trauma and fatal collisions.
“Our ANPR technology gives us another set of eyes on the roads to stop these drivers in their tracks.
“Unauthorised drivers should think twice about getting behind the wheel, as you will be caught.
“Police will be highly visible and enforcing to reduce road trauma during Operation Amity — as well as unauthorised drivers, we’ll be targeting speeding motorists and conducting widespread alcohol and drug testing during the Australia Day period.”
Operation Amity commenced at 12.01am on Wednesday, January 25 and concludes at 23.59pm on Sunday, January 29.
Already, 24 lives have been lost on Victorian roads in the first 23 days of the year, double the five-year average of 12, with three quarters of fatalities occurring on rural roads this year.
For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.