opp2The South Porcupine OPP, along with other detachments in the north are trying out a new device to catch suspended drivers, and early results are proving the Automatic License Plate Recognition Program (ALPR) is effective.

In fact, the OPP took local media to Highway 655 to see the new piece in action, and in a short period of time, they had at least three vehicles pulled over.

“Suspended drivers is a huge problem in Ontario,” says Staff Sargent Dan Foy, who adds there is little error involved, as a loved one could be operating the vehicle at the time.

But it is the OPP’s duty to investigate every case that comes up.

Those “hits” come up instantaneously.  Foy says the technology has already been used in other areas of Ontario, and cost them at least $500,000.

Cameras are located on the front and the back of police cruisers.

He says about 30 cars were purchased with the equipment installed.  On a busy road on places like Toronto, Foy says the technology is so advanced, it can read up to 3,000 plates a minute.

There aren’t any plans in place to upgrade the technology to charge uninsured drivers, but Foy says it’s something the OPP would certainly take a look at down the line, by talking with insurance companies across the province.

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