A driver from Windsor is now confronting multiple criminal and traffic charges after a high-tech tool used by Ontario Provincial Police flagged his vehicle during a routine patrol in Essex County.
Technology Triggers Traffic Stop
The incident began on November 24, 2025, at approximately 1:12 p.m. An OPP officer was conducting a general patrol on Highway 3 in the Town of Essex when an Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) system installed in the cruiser issued an alert. The technology indicated a potential traffic infraction, prompting the officer to initiate a stop and investigation.
Multiple Charges Laid Following Arrest
The initial alert from the licence plate reader led to a deeper investigation, resulting in a significant list of charges against the driver. Police arrested a 45-year-old man from Windsor and laid the following six charges:
- Utter threats
- Obstruct peace officer
- Resist peace officer
- Driving while under suspension
- Driver – fail to properly wear seat belt
- Drive with window coated – view obstructed
The accused was subsequently taken into custody to formally answer to the charges.
ALPR Systems as a Police Tool
This case highlights the growing role of automated technology in modern law enforcement across Ontario. Automated Licence Plate Readers are used by police forces to quickly scan vehicle plates and check them against databases for infractions such as expired licences, suspended drivers, or stolen vehicles. The system provides real-time alerts to officers, allowing them to act on information that would be difficult to detect during a standard visual patrol.
The use of such technology on Highway 3 in Essex demonstrates its application in both urban and regional settings to enhance road safety and identify drivers who may be violating the law.
