WHEN you look back over the years you realise what a huge distance technology has come. Police Highway Patrol haven't been left behind. With the demise of Holden and Ford, Police now use state of the art BMWs and Chrysler 300C vehicles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
What's inside is impressive:
Radar: The feature motorists are most familiar with: the radar or speed-catching device. Each highway vehicle is fitted with fixed and hand-held speed check devices (LIDAR and RADAR)."It will pick up cars from 600 metres away, and in some cases it will pick up further," says Highway Patrol Chief Inspector Mark Cook.
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR): Police vehicles in NSW are capable of reading up to six number plates in a second thanks to a high-tech number plate reader first introduced in 2013. Three cameras mounted on the car's roof link to a computer running optical recognition software and a database of stolen, unregistered or suspect vehicles, which sounds an alarm every time it finds a match. The data is linked to a laptop computer and mobile data terminal fitted in each vehicle.
Video recording: Highway patrol cars are fitted with an extensive video recording system which films what's going on outside the vehicle's front and rear windows. The video system is integrated into an aftermarket rear-view mirror fitted to each car.
Radio communication equipment: Most law enforcement agencies in Australia, including the police, are increasingly encrypting their communication systems.
Random breath testing equipment: Most motorists are familiar with the "count to 10" process during a roadside breath-test. The device used to record the level of alcohol content in someone's system is called an alcometer, and is a standard fitment in every highway patrol car.
Emergency equipment: Police are often first to the scene of big accidents, and as such their vehicles are equipped for most situations. In any ordinary vehicle you'll find traffic cones, A-frame safety triangles, a fire extinguisher and an extensive first-aid kit. There are also emergency lights and sirens, bullet proof vests, batons and torches.
Certainly an impressive array of technology and other tools to help police to do their job......
Motoring news locally every Saturday at 5am on 101.5 Great Lakes FM and 10am on 106.5 Rhema FM. Also Sunday 2pm on 103.3 2TLP 2pm every Tuesday on 101.5 Great Lakes FM.
Road Ramblings can also be heard worldwide on the web by going to www.roadrambs.com. You can now find and listen to Road Ramblings on Facebook. Have a look and give us a like.
