By NATALIE GALLENTI
POLICE cracked down on wayward drivers last week with an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) operation set up on Ballarat Rd, Caroline Springs.
Melton and Brimbank’s highway patrol units were out in force on local roads targeting offenders with number plate recognition technology used to detect unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles.
This latest operation comes in the wake of a three month campaign which saw police target reckless drivers.
The ANPR checked a total of 1415 vehicles travelling on Caroline Springs Boulevards and Ballarat Rd, Caroline Springs.
Melton Leading Senior Constable Allan Edwards said a total of 25 offences were detected, including six suspended and disqualified drivers, four unlicensed drivers and six unregistered vehicles.
Police also issued infringement notices to one person for using a mobile phone, failing to wear a seat belt, and two other traffic offences. Five vehicles were issued defect notices.
In other incidents on Melton’s roads last week a 48-year-old male was intercepted on the Calder Freeway, Calder Park after being clocked at 168km/h in an 80km zone. The Sunbury man returned a positive Preliminary Breath Test and was conveyed to Melton Police Station where a breath test gave a result of .112. His licence was suspended immediately pending a court appearance and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
A 27-year-old male from South Australia was intercepted speeding along the Western Highway and admitted to drinking scotch while driving from Adelaide to Melton. He was taken to the Melton Police Station where a breath test gave a result of .137 per cent.
The male was charged immediately and issued an instant summons to attend Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 24 October, where he pleaded guilty to all charges. He was fined $800 and disqualified from driving in Victoria for 15 months.
