Wanted criminals in Ontario used to evade arrest by driving carefully and trying not to draw attention. To combat this trick, authorities introduced the Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) system.
The ALPR system uses two or three cameras installed on top of a police cruiser. The cameras are pointed in different directions, allowing officers to take images of license plates in the front and behind their vehicles.
Aside from the cameras, the system also uses a computer so authorities can access large volumes of licence plate numbers stored in a database. The computer in the vehicle uses software to digitize the plate information for further processing.
When the system finds a match on a hotlist, it alerts the officer. Once it reports a hit, it will display additional vehicle registration information to the officer, including the car’s make, model, colour, and the year it was purchased. The officer must confirm whether the licence plates on the image and the list match.
After confirmation, the officer may take action as required. They can either issue a ticket or further verify whether the car’s owner with a suspended licence is the one driving the vehicle.
Cameras on police cruisers do not only provide license plate numbers. They can also provide other crucial driver information, including the location of vehicles at a specific time and date.
As a result, the ALPR systems could help track individuals’ locations over time, which can be helpful for surveillance and profiling activities.
Officers under ALPR enforcement have access to a hot list containing millions of license plates in poor standing. In Ontario, license plates in poor standing can be one or more of the following:
Plates from a driver with a suspended license
Plates with expired validation tags
Plates associated with stolen or missing cars
Suspended licence plates
Plates related to missing persons or individuals with outstanding warrants
It is crucial to note that the database for the ALPR system updates daily, not in real-time. If you renew your licence the same day you get pulled over, authorities must confirm your renewal with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
To know more about how the ALPR system can affect your rights as a driver, call our expert lawyers today. At Diamond and Diamond, our lawyers can provide solid advice to help address your legal concerns.
22 мар 2023
