Car calls 911 on hit and run driver

[jim302]

So the feature in some cars where they can automatically call 911 when you're in an accident isn't actually new, but it is making its way to more and more makes and models. It turns out that if you have this feature, you might want to reconsider running from the scene of an accident:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/car-calls-911-after-alleged-hit-and-run-driver-arrested/

There definitely can be a slippery slope with features like this and GPS tracking, but they aren't always bad things. There have been cases of people stealing cars with GPS tracking and getting busted for car theft plus (in some cases) violent crimes that they are on the run from.

Hit and runs drivers are terrible and the punishment for this kind of crime should be severe. Anyone convicted shouldn't get their drivers license back for a long time.

 

[dishdude]

haha Busted!

 

[daves87rs]

Will be standard on all cars within a a few years.

Phones will also be able to snitch on you....

 

[jimbrewer]

The government can get a warrant and use your OnStar to bug your car.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
The government can get a warrant and use your OnStar to bug your car.


And your phone, then they always know where you are - even if you're not in the car!

 

[Gasbuggy]

I disabled it on my Cadillac...

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
The government can get a warrant and use your OnStar to bug your car.

They can also get a warrant to install a more traditional, "aftermarket" setup for bugging and GPS tracking.

 

[DuckRyder]

Well, not only all that but she had to pair her phone and enable 911 assist if it is a like my truck. And it probably reminds you every time you start the vehicle that 911 is set to ON (or off).

 

[jim302]

Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Well, not only all that but she had to pair her phone and enable 911 assist if it is a like my truck. And it probably reminds you every time you start the vehicle that 911 is set to ON (or off).


The article mentions two accidents in one night - both hit and runs, so if that's true I wouldn't be surprised if the driver was somewhat impaired. In that case it might be easy to forget that this feature is enabled.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
haha Busted!


Yup! Thank goodness. I hate bad people.

 

[DuckRyder]

Originally Posted By: jim302
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Well, not only all that but she had to pair her phone and enable 911 assist if it is a like my truck. And it probably reminds you every time you start the vehicle that 911 is set to ON (or off).


The article mentions two accidents in one night - both hit and runs, so if that's true I wouldn't be surprised if the driver was somewhat impaired. In that case it might be easy to forget that this feature is enabled.


Probably. But still mine is set to OFF, perhaps if you turn it on then it doesn't but every time my phone connects it stops everything and says "SYNC is reminding you 911 assist is set to off" rather loudly. It would be hard to miss.

I should probably just set it to on, but I'm just not sure I want my truck on the phone, it is bad enough that it emails me oil life reports.

 

[BreakerBreaker]

I almost had my phone stolen today, I actually believed it was. (*it was in my car, window open, got in an argument with a guy. Walked away, popping **** as I did, but walking away to de-escalate. Dude was by my car. Dude drove off. Thought he reached in, and took my phone from passenger seat. Yes, we were both punks there.)

Went into store.. Did not know local Phone number, (who does. I dont. I would say most of us do not. Unless you call them all the time..) so, called 911. Did not get put on hold.

"Operator 911, Operator number etc etc, what's your emergency"
- "Yes, is there any way you can lock onto the GPS of a phone? I have a Verizon newest Samsung and it's just been stolen.."
"Sorry sir, only if it's a life-threatening emergency, like a kidnapping or something. Then we would need a warrant, then we could. But only in extreme circumstances. Other thing you could do is call your phone company."
- "Ok....."

Thank God in heaven the phone was in my pocket.

This is about the 4th time a guy in a minivan has pulled up to my car and pitched bodywork from the driver's seat. And hung around AFTER I said no. Different guy and car every time, same plaza. Going on for years.. This time, I got confrontational. They have to shoot me...

 

[BreakerBreaker]

Originally Posted By: jim302
So the feature in some cars where they can automatically call 911 when you're in an accident isn't actually new, but it is making its way to more and more makes and models. It turns out that if you have this feature, you might want to reconsider running from the scene of an accident:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/car-calls-911-after-alleged-hit-and-run-driver-arrested/

There definitely can be a slippery slope with features like this and GPS tracking, but they aren't always bad things. There have been cases of people stealing cars with GPS tracking and getting busted for car theft plus (in some cases) violent crimes that they are on the run from.

Hit and runs drivers are terrible and the punishment for this kind of crime should be severe. Anyone convicted shouldn't get their drivers license back for a long time.


That's a great article.

I've had my share of Road Rages, but never had contact between the two cars. I respond exclusively on how they come at me. Put safety at risk dueling a brand new black Mercedes Benz just the other day.. no contact between the cars. Dude was HEATED when I returned his cut-off of me.. the brake-check I did was super sweet, as he was accelerating . But, I made him realize that he was not a God of the road. But, apparently, we had to race, but why would I back down.. kept it up a good 5 miles, too.. some people are just jerks..

I wonder if his car called in that he was going between 110-120MPH to catch up to me (since the hyperagressiveness was a little unnerving, like he was following me, for what? ... he came at me, I shut him up, since this all started I was driving too slow? He cut me off? So, I did he. Then he tried it again. I brake-checked him. Then, it should have been over. Point made. Why follow me..) cut me off for revenge, 3 miles AFTER he should have backed off and backed down. Wouldn't stop until he did that. So of course we had to keep going, thing is, his car has the snitch gear... wimp..

Not a cop in sight, either. The whole trip home..

 

[andyd]

Oh freaken wonderful, that I have seen, and in the day been, and now just another car on the road you bozos are raging over. AT least you guys were motor-vating. Texters are scarier.

 

[Doc8404]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
The government can get a warrant and use your OnStar to bug your car.


Ha. Patriot Act. They don't need [censored].

 

[BreakerBreaker]

Originally Posted By: rsylvstr
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
The government can get a warrant and use your OnStar to bug your car.


Ha. Patriot Act. They don't need [censored].


It's been watered down.