The system is being developed in order to prevent high-speed chases, with a leaked report from ENLETS saying, "Criminal offenders will take risks to escape after a crime. In most cases the police are unable to chase the criminal due to a lack of efficient means to stop the vehicle safely." It's hoped that the system will be on the road as early as 2020.
Now, from a safety standpoint, bringing a car to a halt by flipping a switch or clicking a mouse certainly seems preferable to actions that put officers or other motorists in danger. Still, it strikes us rather heavy handed to install such a system in every vehicle when only a very small number are involved in high-speed pursuits.
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