GM Puts Brakes on Stolen Cars

GM's OnStar service could soon reduce dangerous police pursuits, AP reports, by allowing police who spot stolen cars to ask operators to send a signal that slows the car to a halt. "This technology will basically remove the control of the horsepower from the thief," said OnStar's president. The system will be installed in about 20 2009 models.

GM is exploring the possibility of engineering cars to give a recorded verbal warning to a thief before the vehicle stops moving. OnStar already finds up to 800 cars per month through its global positioning system. Last year, 404 people were killed nationwide in crashes during police pursuits—many of which involved stolen cars. (More OnStar stories.)