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http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/11/me-stolen-onstar-cars-stop-in-the-name-of-the-law/
By RICH SHOPES
The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 11, 2008
Published: June 11, 2008
A message on the speedometer says “engine power is reduced.”
General Motors says it has developed a technology to put the brakes on car thieves and came to Tampa on Tuesday to prove it. Representatives from the automaker demonstrated their Stolen Vehicle Slowdown technology before the media, police and fire department officials. The system is designed to let an operator with the company's OnStar service send a signal to a stolen vehicle to restrict the fuel flow and slow the car, truck or SUV to 3 to 5 mph. Police and fire-rescue personnel took turns behind the wheel of two Chevrolet Tahoes 
equipped with the technology. When activated, the system sent a message to a screen that said, "Engine power is reduced," then the vehicle coasted to a near standstill. "Anything that will help us respond better is worth it," said Hillsborough Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Bruce Delk. "I've seen what can happen" at accidents. Three hundred people are killed in 30,000 police chases each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. GM officials said the company came up with the technology after surveying OnStar subscribers and finding most wanted the theft-prevention technology. OnStar already offers GPS navigation to allow police to track stolen vehicles.
equipped with the technology. When activated, the system sent a message to a screen that said, "Engine power is reduced," then the vehicle coasted to a near standstill. "Anything that will help us respond better is worth it," said Hillsborough Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Bruce Delk. "I've seen what can happen" at accidents. Three hundred people are killed in 30,000 police chases each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. GM officials said the company came up with the technology after surveying OnStar subscribers and finding most wanted the theft-prevention technology. OnStar already offers GPS navigation to allow police to track stolen vehicles.The company gets about 700 stolen vehicle reports monthly. "No system is bulletproof ... but this is a huge stride," said George Baker, manager for public policy at OnStar. The automaker has talked about stolen-vehicle technology since late last year. Now, it's going on the road to 25 U.S. cities to demonstrate to police and fire-rescue personnel how it works. After receiving a stolen vehicle report, an OnStar operator can communicate with police about the vehicle's location. To help identify the stolen vehicle to police on the street, OnStar can activate the flashers for 30 seconds. In the case of a fleeing vehicle, when police say it's safe, OnStar sends an electronic command to restrict the fuel flow. The brakes and steering will still work. "It just seems like the car lost power," OnStar spokeswoman Kameya Shows said.
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