An End to Car Chases?

Navigation: Main page

Author: Sofge, Erik

High-speed police pursuits resulted in 343 deaths in the United States in 2004 â€" a 39 percent increase compared to 1984. This year the LAPD will begin testing an air-powered launcher that fires a GPS tracking tag onto a suspect's car (prototype, left). In a best-case scenario the launcher would be aimed with a laser sight during a traffic stop, allowing the tag to be fired the instant the suspect hit the gas. The tracking tag, which is embedded in an epoxy that hardens to resist dislodging attempts, radios location coordinates to a central computer, allowing police to use roadblocks or other low-speed interdiction tactics. If the test goes well, police cars across the country could soon be winning car chases before they even start.

PHOTO (COLOR)

~~~~~~~~

By Erik Sofge