Should Police Be Able to Disable OnStar-Equipped Vehicles?

[Greg]

So, I saw a video of a horrendous head-on crash in Chandler, AZ this morning. The police were chasing a vehicle, and the vehicle ran head-on into another car, killing both drivers. Yet another innocent bystander killed.

It got me to thinking of alternatives to police chases:

1) Don't chase.

Not an option, in my opinion. It sends a message to criminals that they can run and get away.

2) Give Chase in Police Cruisers.

The current philosophy, but people are getting killed more and more frequently.

3) Remotely disable the vehicle.

Can OnStar remotely disable a vehicle's engine? That is to say, shut off fuel pump, injectors, or something else to stop the vehicle? If OnStar can do this on OnStar-Equipped vehicles, should the local P.D. have the authority to use this feature?


Whaddya think? I don't want this to turn political, but from a life-saving perspective, is it a good idea, or is it too "Big Brother"?

Greg

[burstaneurysm]

On Star is theoretically able to shut off a car... however, if a car suddenly stops in a high speed persuit, it might be more dangerous.

There is a device (hell, it might even be On Star) that will begin to slow a car down gradually, and if the car comes to a complete stop at some point, it will lock out the accelerator... pretty cool stuff.

Yea, there's a lot of big brother discussion regarding it, but OnStar already has what is essentially a wiretap in your car. You don't need to hit the button in order for someone to listen in...

[Scikotic Monkey]

last i heard cops and onstar have been working on disabling cars during persuit, the vehicle wont come to a fast stop but it'll shut the engine off causing the car to cost to a stop, like the bait cars cops have now.

[Fredy]

I think that would be better then using stop sticks.

[Greg]

Yeah, that was my line of thinking, disabling something in, say, the fuel supply, so the engine would die, but come to a gradual stop. Of course, this may make the power brakes and power steering a bit difficult.

Perhaps some sort of temporary rev limiter to, say, 1000RPM? Who knows. I guess I don't really care if it blows up the engine, just as long as it stops the car.

Greg

[burstaneurysm]

I dunno... if someone stole my car and there was a way to stop the car without risking serious engine damage, I'd much prefer that... still, it's better than the alternative.

[Fredy]

Yeah, that was my line of thinking, disabling something in, say, the fuel supply, so the engine would die, but come to a gradual stop. Of course, this may make the power brakes and power steering a bit difficult.

Perhaps some sort of temporary rev limiter to, say, 1000RPM? Who knows. I guess I don't really care if it blows up the engine, just as long as it stops the car.

Greg

From what I heard you still have access to the breaks and steering when the engine shuts off.

[burstaneurysm]

Yes, but not power steering...