New technology making real difference on Waikato roads

With disqualified, forbidden and suspended drivers more likely to cause crashes on the road, Waikato Police say new technology is paying for itself in preventing road trauma.

District Prevention Manager, Inspector Rob Lindsay, said following on from yesterday's successes, officers working with an Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipped vehicle prevented a likely tragedy on City streets this morning.

"3074 vehicles were scanned by the ANPR device this morning at checkpoints on Bankwood and Hukanui Roads resulting in 53 alerts being activated, three drivers being suspended, one driver being forbidden to drive, two vehicles being impounded and one person with an outstanding warrant being arrested.

"More disturbingly however is the intoxicated woman found behind the wheel of a car linked to a suspended driver at about 11.30am. When stopped the driver returned a breath alcohol reading of 648mgms where the legal limit for a fully licensed driver aged over 20 is 400mgms."

Mr Lindsay said a person with such a high alcohol reading that early in the day posed a real risk not only to themselves but other road users.

"Research shows us forbidden, disqualified or suspended drivers are 19 per cent more likely to be involved in road crashes while many offenders drive vehicles with warrants or registrations so the beauty of ANPR is that it allows us quicker access to existing Police data meaning officers are better equipped to remove these threats from our roads."

Mr Lindsay said an ANPR equipped vehicle, Crime Reporting Line and Mobility roll-out equipment are all part of the policing innovation display at the Police stand at next month's National Fieldays at Mystery Creek from 12-16 June.

"I would encourage all interested members of the public to come down and take a look for themselves at how Police are improving ways for the public to interact with them and how technology is assisting in the prevention of crime."

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