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Global Driving

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Back seat air bags designed to squish rowdy suspects who might be kicking and punching are just the latest in a string of technological advances police forces are implementing. According to the article in the National Post , these subduing air bags and other 007-like devices are being field-tested or are already used by police departments around the world. Another example is the retractable spiked barriers used by a growing number of forces. These ingenious devices have a bed of hollow spikes that puncture, and slowly deflate the tires of a suspect's vehicle. The problem in the past was that placing a spiked belt on the roadway in front of a racing suspect was dangerous, and also deflated the tires of several cars that were in front of or behind the suspect's. The new belts have rows of retractable spikes, and the officer is able to stand at a safe distance, while pressing a remote control unit to arm the belt just at the moment the targeted car crosses.

And do you remember the 1960s TV series "Car 54, Where Are You?" Well, a University of New Hampshire team has developed a new computer system for police cars called "Project 54." The system allows officers to bark voice commands to turn on lights and sirens, perform background checks on suspects, and track locations with a GPS system.

Related Links:

• Drivers.com's section on Police and driving
• Book: Bob Bondurant on Police and Pursuit Driving
• Enforcement Technology section of Drivers.com
• Stop Stick: a cheaper, but limited method of flattening tires

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