We’ve all noticed police officers making questionable traffic decisions: blocking lanes with their parked cars, exceeding speed limits with no chase in progress, blatantly using their phones while driving, and conveniently using their sirens to bypass red lights. For those who’ve imagined bringing these officers to account, there’s good news. Police departments will soon have the ability to monitor their officers’ driving habits and address any issues.
Ford has developed a solution that enables police management to track their officers’ driving activities. Fifty patrol cars in the Los Angeles Police Department now have devices that relay real-time driving data to their superiors. They can even determine if the officers are buckled up. This collaboration between Ford and the California-based software company Telogis is designed for the Police Interceptor versions of the Explorer and Taurus. The goal is simple: improve safety and accountability on the roads, a strategy that auto insurance companies have implemented for years.
Ford’s Telematics for Law Enforcement allows police departments to check if their officers are abusing their privileges. It can determine if the light bar is activated and compare the vehicle’s speed to the limit. Beyond that, it’s a valuable tool for the officers themselves, detecting abrupt stops and accelerations. It recognizes when the car is skidding and if the anti-lock brake system is in action. Unlike standard car black boxes, this system shares data in real time. If an airbag deploys, the dispatcher will be alerted immediately, facilitating a quicker response for backup.