Police will target five Brimbank collision hotspots with a cutting-edge patrol car this summer.
Victoria Police’s new BlueNet vehicles, which will be trialled in four police regions including Brimbank, are fitted with the latest automatic number-plate recognition facilities, in-car video and mobile data technologies.
Brimbank highway patrol’s Inspector Simon Stevens said police would use the $75,000 car to crack down on recidivist drivers along the Western Ring Road between Tullamarine to Laverton; Ballarat Road between Deer Park and Braybrook; Kings Road from Taylors Lakes to St Albans; the Melton Highway from Sydenham to Keilor Lodge; and Main Road East/West in St Albans.
“BlueNet is an important piece of technology,” Inspector Stevens said.
“It provides capacity to increase our ability to apprehend recidivist disqualified, suspended or unlicensed drivers, and to prevent people using unregistered and stolen motor vehicles.
“Prevention is the key to reducing road trauma. BlueNet technology will strengthen our capabilities in this area.’’
Cameras mounted on BlueNet cars take half a second to scan vehicles as they travel past, alerting police to unregistered or stolen vehicles and unlicensed drivers.
In a single shift, up to 5000 vehicles can be checked by the system.
“The technology in these vehicles dramatically improves police efficiency and drastically increases the number of licence and vehicle checks officers can conduct on the frontline,’’ Police Minister Kim Wells said.
