It used to be that if police wanted to manually check licence plates, they might be able to do a few in an hour, but now with the Automated Licence Plate Readers they can search dozens in a minute. SGI’s Tyler McMurchy witnessed the technology for himself during a recent ride-along with the Saskatoon Police Service. SGI has paid for 138 ALPRs throughout the province.
While on the ride-along, McMurchy says a driver with a suspended licence was pulled over. That means going to court and impounding the vehicle for 30 days. The thing is, it wasn’t her vehicle, it was her mother’s. McMurchy says that doesn’t make a difference. The vehicle would still be impounded and the registered owner would be responsible for the impound and towing fees.
He adds that people don’t get their licence suspended for no reason.
This driver had 5 previous traffic tickets for speeding and seat belts in the past year and had a number from previous years.
Police officers also told McMurchy that often with an unregistered vehicle, it’s not the only thing the driver is doing wrong.
McMurchy stresses that this technology is not about ticketing, it’s about helping to make our roads safer.