Print
Jul 8, 2008 6:19 pm US/Eastern
GM Unveils New Tool In Fight Against Car Theft
Reporting
Jim Lokay
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
General Motors is unveiling a new tool that could literally stop car thieves in their tracks, but some wonder if the technology has gone too far.
"OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown" will be available on cars starting in the 2009 model year. Cars equipped with the system utilize a digital signal that gives police the ability to decelerate the engine, especially during a chase.
Steve Jozwiak, marketing manager for OnStar, says the success of the system will depend upon educating local police departments in the use of the system.
"There's 30,000 police chases a year. 300 of those result in deaths," said Jozwiak.
Once police determine a car can be slowed without causing an incident, they activate the slowdown through an OnStar operator.
"It's going to basically be set at an idle speed. And until the police tell us to reactivate the vehicle, that is all you're going to get."
Some privacy advocates protest the idea, claiming they do not like the idea of having an outside party take over control of a moving vehicle. GM says law enforcement personnel are the only ones who can make such a call.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Featured Slideshows On KDKA.com
