The Traffic Branch Headquarters (TBHQ) made arrangements to equip eight Audi A6 police cars with a new version of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system and to procure two three-dimensional laser scanners recently in a bid to enhance the efficiency of traffic enforcement and accident investigation.

The ANPR system is a camera-like device for reading license plates of vehicles. It can compare the license plate data with existing vehicle database to identify illegal vehicles. The system has been used to identify three categories of vehicles, namely "Unlicensed Vehicles", "Vehicles Licensed to Disqualified Drivers", and "Vehicles Licensed to Persons Wanted for an Outstanding Traffic Warrant". The new version of the ANPR system can also alert officers of "Stolen Vehicles".

The new ANPR system is linked to the ProVida 2000 in-car speed measurement and video recording system. Thus, in addition to being deployed at the roadside, the ANPR system can be used for highway patrol to detect illegal drivers. Overseas experience has shown that the use of the ANPR system, especially in police vehicles, is highly effective in the prevention and detection of crime and in improving road safety.

On accident investigation, TBHQ procured two three-dimensional laser scanners, LEICA Scan Station BLK360 and RTC 360, in March to reduce the workload of frontline officers in recording details of traffic accidents at the scene. The devices are easy to carry and use laser scanning to record traffic accident scenes to ensure accurate measurement and facilitate analysis. They can reduce human errors in evidence collection and analysis, and the scanned data can be used to make reports, photographs and sketches.

The Force's three-dimensional laser scanners are compatible with the laser scanners recently purchased by the Government Laboratory to ensure consistency in court proceedings. The two laser scanners are available for trial use by the Traffic Formations of New Territories South and New Territories North Regions. The ultimate aim is to equip all Regional Traffic Formations with the device in the near future.