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Device targets disqualified drivers

Fifteen automated licence plate readers (ALPRs) are being installed in patrol vehicles starting this week to help police catch disqualified drivers. SGI announced its investment of $800,000 to fund 32 ALPRs in October.
SGI

Fifteen automated licence plate readers (ALPRs) are being installed in patrol vehicles starting this week to help police catch disqualified drivers.

SGI announced its investment of $800,000 to fund 32 ALPRs in October. Installation of the first 15 ALPRs began this week and will be complete by the end of next week. The remaining 17 ALPRs are expected to be installed by the end of January 2017.

ALPRs use infra-red technology to scan licence plates and alert police when the plate is linked to a stolen or unregistered vehicle, a suspended driver or a person wanted by police.

“Automated licence plate readers help make our roads safer because they allow police to quickly and efficiently identify drivers who may be high risk, and get them off the road,” Minister responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave said.  “Disqualified drivers are often people who are suspended due to impaired driving, so this is one more tool police can use to catch impaired drivers, in support of new impaired driving laws that take effect January 1.”

The 32 ALPRs are being installed in all enforcement vehicles in the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) pilot. The CTSS pilot project dedicates 60 officers to traffic safety enforcement. These officers target problematic roadways and intersections in the central and southeast regions of the province, with a focus on impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding.

“To have all patrol vehicles in the Combined Traffic Services pilot equipped with an ALPR system is such a time-saver,” RCMP Acting Officer in Charge F Division Traffic Services Sgt. Al Hofland said.  “They automate what used to be a manual process, and allow us to check a large number of licence plates automatically, quickly identifying high risk drivers and giving us more time to focus on other aspects of patrol.”

SGI has funded a total of 47 ALPRs in the province to date, for an investment of about $1.3 million.

Visit SGI’s website at www.sgi.sk.ca for information about ALPRs and to watch a video showing how they work.