Does this seem reasonable to you?

[ralphc1]

There are motor vehicle chases every day and it should be easy to prevent. Many vehicles can be started from quite a distance with a small fob. Why can't a similar system be used to slow a vehicle down? Law enforcement could have a transmitter that sends a signal that tells the engine computer to slow the engine revolutions to keep the speed to around 25 mph or less. It could be done with a narrow beam to slow as few vehicles as possible or a wider beam to slow all traffic. The slowing would last for a certain amount of time, say 2 to 3 minutes after the signal is no longer present so any vehicles that aren't being pursued would be back to normal.

They could also add a way to notify drivers that emergency vehicles are nearby either coming up from behind or stopped on the road ahead. Modern vehicles use the radios for things like keys left in the ignition or lights left on.

Many new vehicles have GPS systems. My Garmin GPS has the speed limit on the screen in black letters that turn red if I exceed the limit. A factory GPS could be used to prevent vehicles from exceeding speed limits by more than a certain amount.

 

[Bubzeh]

Fantastic. More big brother esque implications added to our everyday life.

Just what's needed imo.

 

[Protectandserve]

A system like that would be a hackers dream.

 

[ralphc1]

A system like that would be a hackers dream.

What would be the point in hacking it. How many people hack into car starting systems?

 

[Meap]

I think this is a clever idea, and actually implementable.

A lot of high speed chases end badly.

 

[ralphc1]

GM has had the Onstar system that can do this on vehicles since 2007. They can tell law enforcement where the vehicle is then slow it once officers find it.

 

[faustian]

Excessive reach of police power with an infinite amount of potential disastrous outcomes. Relative to total auto traffic, police chases are so rare as to be irrelevant and, if you do a balancing test, clearly not worth expanding gov power at the expense of individuals

 

[PG29 red0 Jr]

This is not reasonable, this takes away my freedom. This sounds truly horrible. I want the government to be involved in my life as little as possible.

 

[RerouteToRemain]

Absolutely not.

 

[45ACP]

Sounds kinda good in theory at first but the potential for abuse is enormous.

Guaranteed if a system like this was actually implemented it would only be a matter of time before the govt started using it in ways it was never intended to be used.

 

[Organic Damage]

It's eminently possible. In fact with the way they're mandating stuff like pre-collision avoidance and other autonomous features, I wouldn't be surprised if new cars get programmed to slow down in school zones or whatever at some point.

Slow down is just a short step to stop.

 

[syct23]

What if you drive like a 67, or just an older car that has no electronics built into it..?

Would it be mandatory that you take your vehicle in to get a chip placed in it before you could get it insured..?

 

[Clippy]

nah

 

[FacePunch]

No. I like to drive fast.

 

[ralphc1]

This is not reasonable, this takes away my freedom. This sounds truly horrible. I want the government to be involved in my life as little as possible.

What freedom does it take away?

 

[ralphc1]

What if you drive like a 67, or just an older car that has no electronics built into it..?

Would it be mandatory that you take your vehicle in to get a chip placed in it before you could get it insured..?

I doubt there would be much concern about that. There are so few older vehicles on the roads and fewer all of the time.

 

[ralphc1]

Sounds kinda good in theory at first but the potential for abuse is enormous.

Guaranteed if a system like this was actually implemented it would only be a matter of time before the govt started using it in ways it was never intended to be used.

Like what?

 

[Spoken]

Last thing police need, lol

 

[Meap]

People are concerned with police abuse, and I get that, but the only 'right' that would be abridged is the right to flee from law enforcement.

The current tools cops have to handle these situations are pit maneuvers, spike strips, and helicopter pursuits. All are much more dangerous and/or costly than just remotely slowing the vehicle. Many times after a long chase, the cops are so amped up and fearful that they just end up plugging people.

Ralph's idea would save lives and taxpayer money.

 

[PG29 red0 Jr]

What freedom does it take away?

This would take away my privacy which is more a basic human right than a freedom. It's no business of the governments where my vehicle is or how many miles it travels etc.