New technology puts the brakes on stolen cars…..
High-speed pursuits by police authorities involving stolen vehicles that claim several deaths a year could soon become a thing of the past, with the release of new technology by OnStar.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year approximately 300 deaths occur as the result of about 30,000 police chases. Those numbers is expected to decrease with the use of Stolen Vehicle Slowdown technology.
“The Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service will allow our subscribers added peace of mind by possibly preventing their vehicle from being used as an instrument of harm if it happens to be stolen,” Chet Huber, OnStar president, told CNN.
The new technology is capable of transmitting a signal to a vehicle to reduce the fuel flow to the engine, which will decrease car speed. The technology is said to help cops cut down on high-speed chases, reduce accidents and increase public safety, as well as recover stolen vehicles more quickly.
Here is how it works: Car owners who subscribe the technology can report their stolen car to the cops and OnStar. When the cops locate the missing car and are in hot pursuit, the cops can request OnStar operators to slow down the stolen vehicle by reducing the engine power until it stops. This allows them to apprehend the thieves with a little danger to the public.
The technology will debut in 1.6 million 2009 model GM cars.
