The Star Chase gadgetcan be launched from a police cruiser onto another vehicle to track it during a pursuit.
Experts say that avoiding pursuits can save lives.
“Chases are insanely dangerous,” former federal law enforcement officerLeonard A. Sipes Jr.said in an email interview.
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“You never know what the driver is going to do.
Drivers are often young and under the influence of drugs or alcohol and are operating on pure adrenalin.
They will put themselves and others in danger for minor offenses.”
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The GPS gadget sticks to the suspect’s vehicle using an “aggressive adhesive.”
Car chases claim many lives each year.
“They may not be able to react to conditions safely.”
One of the most common reasons suspects flee is that theyre driving a stolen vehicle, Musson pointed out.
And most cars are stolen in crowded cities.
“The biggest safety worries concern innocent bystanders,” she said.
“Is catching a bad guy worth risking the life of an innocent bystander?”
GPS tracking devices can help reduce accidents, Musson said.
Banning Car Chases
Somepolice departments have banned car pursuitsafter incidents when innocent bystanders died.
But car chases dont have to be dangerous, Sipes said.
Police have to use their judgment when they decide whether to pursue a fleeing car.
“What an officer does, depends on the circumstances,” Sipes said.
The license number will allow appropriate action.
Tracking technology could get even more high-tech, Sipes predicted.
