Calls are being made for all new cars to be fitted with a high-tech device that would allow police to remotely stop vehicles involved in high-speed chases or terrorist attacks.
Queensland Police union boss Ian Leavers wants all new vehicles to have an engine immobiliser installed to allow the vehicle to be disabled by police at any time.
He has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the proposal to make the devices mandatory.
Police would be able to make a call to the manufacturer and have the vehicle slowed down and eventually stopped, preventing a possible crash, if the device was fitted
‘This is a safety issue and we should be using technology to the best we can,’ Mr Leavers told 7news.
Engine immobilisers are typically used in specialist or high-end vehicles to prevent theft.
Mr Leavers said the devices would become as common as airbags, which were once only fitted to high-end vehicles.
Police would be able to make a call to the manufacturer and have the vehicle slowed down and eventually stopped if the device was in place.
Mr Leavers added that the technology would allow vehicles to be stopped in the safest way possible.
‘We don’t want to endanger people’s lives,’ he said.
Mr Leavers began pushing for the technology to be introduced in Australia in 2012.
He said the proposal is starting to get some traction with backing from police across the country.
Western Australia Police Union President George Tilbury told reporters on Monday the technology had the potential to end high-speed pursuits and possible terror attacks
Queensland Police union boss Ian Leavers wants all new vehicles to have an engine immobiliser installed to allow them to be disabled by police at any time
Western Australia Police Union President George Tilbury told reporters on Monday the technology had the potential to end high-speed pursuits and possible terror attacks.
‘In certain circumstances where a vehicle needs to be stopped, a call will be able to be made to the manufacturer or another point to ask if that particular vehicle can be disengaged.
‘All manufacturers of high-end vehicles currently have access (to technology) to immobilise a vehicle remotely.’
Western Australia Police Minister Michelle Roberts said her counterparts from around the nation backed the proposal at a recent meeting.
‘We’re keen to see it progressed,’ she said.
‘All of us have seen the tragic results of crashes that have occurred where someone has absconded from police travelling at high speeds, going through red lights, travelling on the wrong side of the road.
‘When you’ve got a vehicle doing that, it’s a hazard to everyone.’
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said it was a worthy initiative and rejected suggestions there would be privacy concerns.