Posted on Jun 27, 2023
St. Louis-area police test app alert for when emergency vehicles are nearby
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Three St. Louis-area police departments are taking part in a test for a cellphone app alerting drivers when an emergency vehicle is nearby.
Police in St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties held a demonstration on Tuesday in O’Fallon for the MakeWay app. When installed on a phone, it provides a notification for drivers that an emergency vehicle is nearby.
“The intended purpose is to improve road awareness and reaction time for motorists that are sharing the roadways during emergency conditions, whether it be our police, fire, EMS, or whether it be [Department of Transportation personnel] coming into a work zone, roadside assistance, pothole repair,” said Mike Walsh, founder and partner of MakeWay Safety Technologies.
The police agencies equipped five cars with the MakeWay technology that becomes active when a car’s siren and lights go on. Barry Bayles of the St. Charles County Police Department said the departments are testing the technology through the summer.
“Obviously, we're pleased to be part of the testing phase,” Bayles said. “So we kind of get an early look at it and get an idea of how it could help and benefit the community.”
Police in St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties held a demonstration on Tuesday in O’Fallon for the MakeWay app. When installed on a phone, it provides a notification for drivers that an emergency vehicle is nearby.
“The intended purpose is to improve road awareness and reaction time for motorists that are sharing the roadways during emergency conditions, whether it be our police, fire, EMS, or whether it be [Department of Transportation personnel] coming into a work zone, roadside assistance, pothole repair,” said Mike Walsh, founder and partner of MakeWay Safety Technologies.
The police agencies equipped five cars with the MakeWay technology that becomes active when a car’s siren and lights go on. Barry Bayles of the St. Charles County Police Department said the departments are testing the technology through the summer.
“Obviously, we're pleased to be part of the testing phase,” Bayles said. “So we kind of get an early look at it and get an idea of how it could help and benefit the community.”
St. Louis-area police test app alert for when emergency vehicles are nearby
Posted from news.stlpublicradio.org
St. Louis
Apps
Police
Law Enforcement
Driving
Posted 11 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."In all, St. Louis County police chased 42 people through the end of May this year. During the first five months of 2022, they chased 17. In all of 2019, they chased 31 people, according to data presented at a recent police commissioner's meeting.
Panus on Tuesday said that police pursuits cannot always be avoided. Other officials agreed, noting that when a driver refuses to pull over officers must weigh the risks, and sometimes a chase is the best option.
"Pursuits are a necessary evil in the police business," said Bissell, the spokesperson for Jefferson County police. "They are kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation."
Walsh said his company is hopeful that within 30 to 45 days after the trial ends this summer, the departments will make a formal commitment to use the technology in all of their police cars. The company would still need to lobby for the technology to be included on phones when they're manufactured."
..."In all, St. Louis County police chased 42 people through the end of May this year. During the first five months of 2022, they chased 17. In all of 2019, they chased 31 people, according to data presented at a recent police commissioner's meeting.
Panus on Tuesday said that police pursuits cannot always be avoided. Other officials agreed, noting that when a driver refuses to pull over officers must weigh the risks, and sometimes a chase is the best option.
"Pursuits are a necessary evil in the police business," said Bissell, the spokesperson for Jefferson County police. "They are kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation."
Walsh said his company is hopeful that within 30 to 45 days after the trial ends this summer, the departments will make a formal commitment to use the technology in all of their police cars. The company would still need to lobby for the technology to be included on phones when they're manufactured."
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