New Starchase GPS Technology Might Save Lives
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study determined that 360 people are killed each year in police chases. Some experts argue that the number of fatalities is even higher because there is no mandatory reporting system for deaths in police pursuits.
StarChase, the Virginia-based company that manufactures the new technology, said that police apprehended 80 percent of suspects whose vehicles had been tagged with the company’s tracking device. The Arizona Department of Public Safety recently used the device to track drug traffickers and recover more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana.
The StarChase system utilizes a double-barreled, compressed-air unit that is designed to be mounted onto the grille of a police cruiser. A police officer in hot pursuit of a suspect uses an air cannon to fire a small GPS beacon onto the suspect’s car. An industrial-strength adhesive helps the tracker remain on the car once it’s attached. The vehicle’s location is then tracked in a secure web browser accessible only by authorized law enforcement. The device relays the vehicle’s location every three to five seconds, so the officer is constantly updated.
The new technology could prevent accidents and save lives by allowing police officers to avoid pursuing suspects in potentially dangerous chases. Instead, an officer would have the option to try to cut off the suspect. An officer could also decide to simply track the suspect from a safe distance and then make an arrest later with the assistance of backup. If you or a loved one were injured in a high-speed police pursuit, contact Law Office of James E. Tyner, PLLC or give us a call at 866-642-3807.
