New Hi-Tech Police Cars for Queensland.

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Hi-tech police cars hit the road
Dan Nancarrow
August 11, 2011 - 2:18PM

Police are now armed with recording technology that could reduce the number of pursuits. Photo: Supplied
Police hope new recording technology trialled in a group of patrol cars will dramatically reduce the number of pursuits on Queensland roads and improve overall road safety.

The Queensland Police Service today unveiled four new marked police vehicles equipped with in-vehicle computing platforms, cameras and mobile automatic number plate recognition technology.

State Traffic Support Branch chief superintendent Bob Gee said the technology will help police gather better evidence, improve police accountability and quickly identify alleged offenders and unlicensed drivers.

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“The in-car camera will be invaluable for providing better evidence in court and will also help keep police accountable," he said.

"The technology will also help police reduce the need to pursue offenders by providing direct evidence and identifying particulars.

"Police are confident these new cars will help catch these people who drive unregistered and unlicensed or commit crimes on the road."

According to police, unlicensed drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal road crash.

Mr Gee said this was the first time this technology had been combined in one Queensland police vehicle.

Beginning in the next two weeks, the vehicles will be trialled in southeast Queensland for a six to eight month period.

The results of the trial will be used to evaluate how the technology can be implemented in Queensland.