Minimising Police Pursuits
Minimising Police Pursuits
It is clearly obvious that if the ESL < What Is an ESL> remedy [described here-in] were utilised, at a socially acceptable activation, then the incidence of high speed police pursuits would be minimised overnight.
Why then, isn't this happening and/or being implemented?
Although ESL top-speed functions can only be regulated for one speed zone (open road/highway) they would undoubtedly have a large impact on the incidence of “pursuits with police” because, even in a 50km/h zone, not as many defaulters would try to "flee" if the maximum speed their vehicle could ever attain was 120km/h. Read also; our article- Being 'effectively' restricted.
If you are concerned enough to have read this far through this website then you will probably be able to realise that it would "now" be very difficult for the Police to go to the relatives of those many, many victims [some who have been innocent by-standers] and say; “Look, we have actually known about a way of preventing these crashes since 1995 . . . but we were too embarrassed, in 2002, to tell you about it. Please accept our apologies for the death of your loved-one in 2011. . .”
NB: If you feel you may want more information regarding the possible liability aspects pertaining; contact “Kevin” at k.speeding3@gmail.com
Pursuit Crash- Aukland NZ, Sept: 2011.
It is worth having a go!
Below are some quotes from the erstwhile Greg O’Connor (NZ Police Association President) on Lunchtime Radio News, 17 December 2010:
…if we cut back too much on pursuit policy parameters etcetera then this is…“providing an incentive [for the criminals, sic] to try to outrun Police.”
...“There’s no one thing that’s going to stop it” (pardon Greg??- are you sure?)
...“The criminals are realising that the cops are going to have to drive dangerously and pull-out”.
In respect of his above comments, perhaps Greg O’Connor could reflect that (perhaps) some police have been so focused on getting politicians to rugby matches on time that he/they hasn't been informed that the model of Honda car involved in the death his colleague, Sergeant Derrick Wooten [Porirua, August 2008] -< www.police.govt.nz/memorial/Derek-wootton> has its own computer chip activated speed limiter function embedded. That is; perhaps Greg O'Connor ought liaise with his other colleague John Kelly, refer below; "when new technology comes... we try to use it...".
One way to minimise the incidence of dangerous criminals from "having a go" at out-running police, would be to regulate that all EFI vehicles must have their top speed restricted to a level that prevents them doing 150km/h!
That way, Greg O'Connor could rest assured that for defaulters in modern vehicles (-made since about 1992- onwards) it would not be worth "having a go"! Would this be a 'too simple' solution for a simple traffic cop however? It will be interesting to see, in about 2018 - when the remedy is widely utilised in many countries - what Greg O'Connor will put up as an excuse as to why it wasn't used in 2002! - particularly when a few more completely innocent motorist's have been killed!
...
Example_2
< www.stuff.co.nz/- Angry-Son-vows-Campaign-Against-Boyracers.. >
On TV One ‘Close-Up’ 15/ 10/ 09; when been interviewed by Mark Sainsbury, Aaron Keown said the following; “…we’ve got to stop being silly about the motor vehicle…”. “The government needs to adopt a sledge hammer approach – we’re dealing with dick-heads”. “…You should be allowed to make political statements in court”.
(Website editor’s note: "Well, you now know what ought to be done about “silly” high speeds Mr Keown".) Refer also: our analogy -"Being Effectively Restricted".
Another aspect to the subject, and that is worthy of extra attention, is the immobiliser regulations (announced Jan: 2005 for New Zealand) concerning the mandatory fitting of ‘immobilisers’ to vehicles made or imported after a certain date.
These “electronic” immobilisers are a direct response to the (then) recent upsurge in theft of high performance cars during 2003/04. Cars that are/were, subsequently, often used to commit other crimes, such as ram-raids.
Readers may like to reflect however, on how quickly this electronic solution (pages 7-8 of pdf) was asked for by the relevant executive, and in turn pushed through the regulatory process by Government.
Refer also: < www.smh.com.au/news/Police--Pursuits/All-pumped-up/2004--12.htm >
The above LINK, and numerous others of 'similar' content, demonstrate information, from people who have had "on the ground" experience; suggesting a need for NEW thinking on Police Pursuits Policy.
Example_3
Death of Michael Ellicott - TV3 Campbell Live, 07 May 2007: (when new technology comes along...)
This TV programme featured discussion and information on Police pursuit policies, in respect of the (then) recent fatality of Michael Ellicott, at New Plymouth.
Inspector John Kelly told John Campbell, "When new technology comes along we try to use it."
[This commitment to utilise technology will no-doubt come as MARVELLOUS news to the relatives of the late Mr Ellicott . . .or has this police Inspector never heard of computer chip activated speed limiter functions in late model vehicles??]
Examples of other comments made on that programme were:
"It becomes a kind of game to them".
"Mr Ellicott believed he could go fast enough to evade the police".
...and he also said that if it becomes standard procedure for Police not to chase any vehicle that refuses to stop, and that uses (relatively) high speed to evade apprehension, then the boy-racer set may continually "try it on."
When Inspector Kelly said "When new technology comes... we try to use it" he was referring to the (then...??) continuing development of a device designed to disable the electronics of vehicles that are being pursued. The device in question uses some kind of powerful 'electromagnetic pulse' - operated from the Police vehicle, towards the offenders car - and this is designed to damage that vehicle's ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM... [wow! such uncomplicated innovation complementing an existing technology!!] - rendering the vehicle undriveable.
What was perhaps most intriguing - or should that be "indicting?" - is that authorities were considering purchasing the device. Evidently the the technology was still undergoing refinement and development, (at the time) according to Mr Kelly; however he alluded strongly that once the 'rough edges' - as he described - on it had been removed it might be a worthwhile, though expensive, tool for the New Zealand Police to purchase?
The Possible Pitfalls - of using such 'fanciful' technology:
Not only will it be very expensive, the electromagnetic pulses - when fired at a target vehicle - may also damage other vehicles in close proximity, perhaps causing them to crash. It could also have the potential to cause serious damage to a variety of electrical equipment in the vicinity, such as an elderly persons 'pacemaker' or such like...
Question; would it be waste of time for someone to write to Inspector Kelly and inform him that modern vehicles, with electronic engine management systems, ALREADY HAVE an effective function, that could be re-calibrated so as to minimise high speed pursuits - and this could be achieved at very low cost.
Read also< Coroner_rules-on...three killed_needlessly-by_180km/h_drunk_Pursuit... >
Read also: Raymond Hassen Crash & understanding actual causes of deaths...
Example_4:
Kuran Brunton / Erin Jane Burgess: Motorcycle pursued for 26km, reaching speeds of 200km/h.
For insight & appraisal of this reckless and tragic pursuit, readers should refer to < :www._blog.../... > to gain appreciation of how negligent it is to have not utilised the ESL remedy by (about) 1998 - whence it was widely available.
Example_5: < Greymouth pursuit survivor impaled by abdomain >... Intriguingly this Pursuit crash has led to controversial Blogger Cameron Slater being seriously lambasted by the victims family because he rather calously made insulting remarks about the moral/aprobitty of the victim- who was the last surviving son out of FOUR (brothers) who have all died in tragic accidents, one having actually being killed by a drunk driver. Another was killed in the Pike-River-Coal-mine-disaster. Of course if the erstwhile cameron Slater wanted to really raise his blogging profile he could do worse than perhaps contact the family of the young man killed in the needless crash - and avail them of the possibility of negligence issues arrising from the total abscence of need - for modern vehicles to be able to do 150km/h on public roads!
... I.E. Cameron Slater on Police Pursuits... - for a feral blogger such as Slater it would surely be oiled enough to have some impact... It might even be seen as Slater being offensive or to recieve threats etcetera... see article on this site: Negligence-Issuies-Involvled.
...further content on minimising pursuits pending...