By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
DRIVERS across Melton and Brimbank now have nowhere to hide as new BlueNet police cars hit local roads.
Sergeant Andy Oakley from Brimbank Highway Patrol told Star the new car, which is fitted with automatic numberplate recognition camera systems, means wayward drivers now have no escape route and will be nabbed for any infringements.
Sgt Oakley said the new cars, with cameras mounted on the front, rear and roof, can rapidly scan every moving, stationary and parked vehicle they pass, detecting suspect drivers and vehicles almost instantly.
The cameras can also scan numberplates and alert the police driver every time an unregistered car or an unlicensed driver is passed. They can also identify stolen cars and drivers with outstanding fines.
Sgt Oakley said four of these project cars have been unveiled across the state and are now in use in Geelong, Shepparton and Frankston.
“Eventually if project cars work … the days of driving around without a licence or registration are gone,” he said.
When launching the innovative cars in October, police minister Kim Wells said the one BlueNet patrol car that has been operating since December last year, in a pilot program, had detected 17,794 road offences.
“BlueNet vehicles are another tool police will use during the Christmas and New Year period to detect and remove those who, for a range of reasons, shouldn’t be on our roads,” he said.
