NCJ Number
86463
Date Published
1981
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article considers ideas for technological improvements to automobiles that would curtail the car's role as an important crime-generating factor in Sweden.
Abstract
The types of crimes involving cars include auto theft, theft from automobiles, disregard of traffic regulations, driving under the influence of alcohol, burglaries in remotely located weekend cottages, transportation of stolen goods, and use of the car as a getaway vehicle. Statistics on stolen vehicles clearly show that thieves prefer certain models to others, suggesting that the frequently stolen models have poorly designed locks, which manufacturers should correct in the future as an important crime prevention measure. Computer technology could be used to incorporate other features into automobile manufacture for crime prevention purposes. These include an external signal indicating the speed level of a moving vehicle (tried in Japan), electronic alcometer to prevent a drunken driver from starting a car, and electronically coded locks on car doors (both under consideration by Ford). Other ideas are driver's licenses designed like bankomat cards to be approved by the car's computer before starting and an electronic car pilot to monitor the driver's observation of traffic signals and to record all breaches of regulations for police control. Tabular data and one footnote are given.