The number plate recognition technology automatically checks a vehicle’s plates against the database to also identify vehicles that have stolen plates, as well as drivers that have outstanding fines or warrants.

The high-tech camera is capable of scanning up to 700 cars an hour and retrieves a vehicle’s details in seconds, allowing vehicles of interest to be intercepted by police.

Sgt Cameron Roberts, of Wodonga highway patrol, said a total of 23 offences were detected, including 12 unregistered vehicles, two defect notices and one suspended driver.

Five drivers on mobile phones were also detected during the operation and three positive drug tests were returned.

A Wodonga man would be charged on summons after being found under the influence of illicit drugs while he was also suspended from driving.

“In the limited time we were out there with this machine, it was a very efficient means of scanning the traffic and very productive from that point of view,” Sgt Roberts said.

“Checking that sort of volume by traditional means is simply not physically possible.”

Sgt Roberts said the camera operated in Thomas Mitchell Drive, High Street and Melrose Drive.

He said the technology allowed officers to focus on driver safety instead of administrative tasks such as checking registration details.

He said while the camera could be fixed to a patrol car, it was placed in a van manned by a public servant in the operation.

“On this occasion it freed up all our police resources to deal with anybody found offending instead of having police sit there and monitor the unit,” he said.

Sgt Roberts warned the technology would appear again in Wodonga without notice.

“It’s obviously a relatively new technology as far as Victoria goes and it’s something we want to try and maximise wherever possible,” he said.

The technology was also used in Wangaratta, Myrtleford and Cobram.