OPP calls licence scanning expansion a ‘game-changer’ for nabbing drivers
Posted February 17, 2023 4:26 pm.
Last Updated February 17, 2023 6:26 pm.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Sgt. Kerry Schmidt is touting the massive expansion of the OPP’s Automatic Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) system as a “game-changer” when it comes to catching drivers for minor and more serious infractions.
The ALPR expansion started Monday in the Greater Toronto Area and will soon be bolstered across the province.
Schmidt told Breakfast Television on Friday that the plate scanning technology has already been in place for several years, but in a “very limited” capacity, with only a few dozen cruisers armed with the systems.
That’s now changing, and Schmidt says drivers should promptly handle any outstanding issues, like unregistered vehicles, to avoid being hit with heavy fines.
“We are actively equipping every frontline patrol vehicle with this system,” he warned. “There’s going to be about 1,200 frontline OPP vehicles with this automatic licence plate scanning technology.”
Schmidt boasted about the effectiveness of the technology.
“It is incredible; it is a game-changer in terms of how we can patrol the highways making sure that the vehicles on the road are registered to be on the roads,” he said.
“And not only minor infractions against the registered owner, but if someone is wanted or there is any other flag regarding the registered owner, that will be made known to the officer.
“It’s like having a second officer in the patrol vehicle with them,” he said.
The OPP #ALPR system flagged 32 vehicles in the 22 minutes #MississaugaOPP were conducting another traffic stop. The system identified 1 suspended driver, 4 unlicensed drivers, and 27 expired vehicle registrations.
Renew your registration here.https://t.co/uv6iUxQcYG pic.twitter.com/zVytrz5trc— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) February 13, 2023
Schmidt cited a recent example where a driver was pulled over for speeding on Highway 403, and the reader continued to flag dozens of vehicles.
“While we were stopped there for about 20 minutes, about 30 more vehicles were flagged as being either unregistered, or the registered owner of the vehicle was unlicensed or suspended. It was unbelievable for me to see that.
“And we will have about 1,200 patrol vehicles all across the province scanning 24 hours a day.”
Schmidt says he’s giving fair warning — If you haven’t registered your licence plate yet, now is the time.
You can renew your plate here.
Last year, the Ford government eliminated licence plate renewal fees and stickers, saving drivers $120 annually.
Not everyone was impressed with the idea of an army of OPP vehicles scanning their plates. Many took to Twitter to criticize the punitive measures for minor infractions. Some also felt it was a privacy invasion.
Current registration system seems to make more work for Police.
I renewed plate reg. on 1 car for 2 years last November. No sticker sent so expired sticker still shows. So greater chance I get pulled over for expired sticker, a waste of your time & mine.
— Stuart B (B3man) (@B3man1) February 14, 2023
Pretty outrageous that you are doing this after the government put out the message that stickers are no longer needed. And there is no reminder system for vehicle the registrations that works. So how do we know if we need to renew? #bringbackstickers
— Chris Daw (@DawImmigration) February 15, 2023
Thank you for all your hard work protecting us from people who forgot to renew their plates. The world is now a safer place because of you.
— Nate Lacroix (@natelacroix) February 15, 2023
What does the Ontario Privacy Commissioner have to say about this privacy violation? I think you know.
— Heavy_D (@Sean_D250) February 14, 2023
Renewals are free, removing the sense of urgency. So naturally, people forget and are instead nailed with outrageous penalties. Great new automatic system you have for chasing expired plates though. Bet you’re raking it in!
— Kevin Bailey (@MrKevinBailey) February 14, 2023
So, the roadways were safer before? Because I’m hearing new problems come to light all because of a camera system. Everyone was minding their own business and now people are going to be harassed over paperwork. Great.
— Tully The Chance (@Jones4Tweet) February 15, 2023
Seems like a complete waste of The OPP time and money..if we don’t need stickers anymore why waste OPP time..OPP could be looking for real criminals.
— Jpwelder (@Jpwelder2) February 15, 2023
