Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) have been installed on police vehicles involved in a Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) pilot project.

An investment of $800,000 by SGI allowed the purchase of 32 additional ALPRs for CTSS vehicles, to assist new impaired driving laws that took effect January 1st.

15 of the devices were installed late November and early December of the past year with the remaining 17 getting installed this past week. In total, 48 ALPRs have been funded by SGI, now totaling an investment of $1.3 million.

The devices use infra-red technology to scan licence plates and alert police when the plate is linked to a stolen or unregistered vehicle, a suspended driver or a person wanted by police.

As part of the pilot, the license plate readers were installed in RCMP vehicles in the southeast and central areas of the province.

However, the license plate reader pilot has not expanded to the southwest corner of the province at this time. The Government of Saskatchewan says they do not have a timeline for potential expansion, as it would depend on their evaluation of the results from this pilot first.

Those wanting more information on ALPRs can visit the SGI website, or also click here for a video on ALPRs.