(Reading time: 2 - 4 minutes)
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Category: News
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Published: Tuesday, 07 January 2014 19:46
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Written by Ben David T Quirk
According to USA Today, 1 in 3 deaths caused by high speed chases are the deaths of innocent bystanders – a shocking figure that US authorities are now seeking to change with new police car GPS cannons.
GPS cannons fire a GPS tracker onto the car being pursued, allowing the police to track its location without a car chase. Preventing any need for dangerous driving and allowing criminals to be caught safely.
High speed car chases look exciting on the big screen but in reality, they’re very dangerous and put lives at risk every year. They risk the lives of police, the suspects and innocent bystanders and can cause expensive vehicle damage.
So is it time to stop the chase and implement GPS cannons?
How do police car GPS cannons work?
In Florida and Iowa in the USA, a new cannon called Starchase is being tested. During a car chase, police fire a ‘bullet’ containing a GPS tracker at their target.
Once the tracker has been fired from the police car and is connected to the vehicle in pursuit, police can back off and track the vehicle from a distance – without the need for high speed.
In fact, it’s already been a success in the US. Police can track the car’s whereabouts and arrest them shortly after – allowing them to catch criminals without any damage to police cars and without any bodily harm to the people involved.
The reality of implementing GPS cannons
Unfortunately, the reality is that these GPS cannons are expensive. Very expensive in fact, but far less costly than a human life.
Each cannon costs around $5,000 to install on a police car and each round or ‘bullet’ costs $500.
However, this is less expensive than the damage that would be caused to vehicles in the event of a crash.
And while they’re currently being tried and tested in several American states, it could be a while before they’re rolled out throughout the whole of the US – and even the UK.
Do you think they’d be worth the money? Would you like to see police car GPS cannons used in the UK? Let us know what you think below!
Unicom Insurance are UK based regulated specialists of Motor Trade Insurance. You can connect with Unicom Insurance on Google+ to keep up to date with all the latest news and stories from the Motoring Industry.
(Reading time: 2 - 3 minutes)
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 25 July 2013 17:55
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Written by Ben Quirk
All new Alpine
The all new Alpine sports car, an all new rear wheel drive two-seater which should be on the market by 2016. Alpine are working alongside Caterham to make an original design from the ground up, although the earlier model being based on a Lotus.
(Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes)
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 02 December 2013 14:27
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Written by Ben David T Quirk
At first it was a hoax, then within hours the truth came to light, Paul Walker star of the Fast and Furious films had been in a car crash with his friend and his new Porsche Carrera GT. This story isn't here to detail the crash, rather it's a celebration of his great car career and his love of cars in general. RIP Paul Walker, the Fast and Furious films will never be the same without you, fond farewell Brian Spilner (Brian O Connell).
If one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I was smiling
'attributed to Paul Walker'
(Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes)
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Category: News
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Published: Friday, 19 July 2013 12:39
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Written by Ben David T Quirk
What a glorious July, perfect weather for Car Shows, whether your into German, US Muscle Jap or old skool Euro cars, and it's only going to get better.
planet auto are on the Volkswagen and Audi show circuit this weekend Cumbria VAG, watch out this week for a report from VAG show hosted at the Westmorland Show ground, Cumbria.
We've already had Goodwood FOS, GTI international and Bug Jam is this weekend, to mention a few, and their are many to come including MITP, Ultimate Streetcar and Coventry fesival of speed.
Which ever Car shows you wish to visit in 2013, please drive carefully and enjoy.
for more info on the latest car events visit our Car show guide 2013 - 2014
have a great summer
Ben, Michael and Annabelle
(Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes)
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 11 November 2013 14:25
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Written by Ben David T Quirk
It's November already, car shows well and truly finished for 2013, except for club meets etc. This makes it the busiest time for the pa team, hence why news is a little thin on the ground. Currently Michael and I are sourcing and adding as many car shows is possible, today we are adding VW festivals, next it's, well whatever we find Vauxhall, Ford, French Euros you name it.
If you would like your show adding please comment with the shows details below or add a car event here.
(Reading time: 2 - 3 minutes)
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 15 July 2013 09:12
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Written by Ben David T Quirk
The Sun was shining, the car planet auto Golf was gleaming it was time to head to the Heaves Hotel for the KLMC Cars the Star Show, as we pulled off the A590 there were two VW Campers pulling out onto the carriageway, concourse in looks.
The entry was £5 per person or £10 per car, very reasonable, we made our way to the car park a grassy field filled with a range of fine motor cars Ferrari, classic Mini's, Alfa Spider, Corvette Stingray, AMG Mercedes, M3 BMW even a US Made Mercury, bear in mind this was just the car park.
The show was organised into different clubs as well different categories from pre 1960 to Military and utility, there was well 70 cars ranging from the the classic the Rolls Royce to the Robin Hood 2B kit car, it was strange to see what was considered a classic in todays eyes Citroen ZX, Honda s2000 even a Saab Viggen 9000 Convertible.
Their was wide array of Rally cars on display including, the Mk2 Escort Mexico and RS2000, Mk1 Escort Mexico, Lotus Sunbeam and a Mini 1275 GT, one of the highlights had to be the Ford racing Puma, a wide bodied version of the popular Puma hot hatch.
The Cumbria and Lancashire Porsche clubs were representing with the 911 & 944, a few of each.
Watch out for our short videos on the Planet Auto YouTube channel.
(Reading time: 2 - 4 minutes)
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 22 August 2013 09:57
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Written by Ben Quirk
zelectricmotors - Bringing the bug up to date
zelectricmotors based in San Diego, California is modernising the classic bug. The Volkswagen Beetle was the peoples car however in the modern world it does face a real world problem. Cars are becoming more efficient on fuel due to more economical engines, electric motors and hybrids. As a result of this the VW bug is getting left far behind.
Similar cars to the Beetle in present day are now achieving fuel economies of 40 - 70 mpg. Whereas the classic Volkswagen is staying in the past achieving only 20 - 30 mpg, supercar mpg. Therefore the classic is not a viable everyday run about.
Wouldn't it be ideal to have a fuel efficient beetle, maybe an electric Beetle?
Zelectric are now making this possible. Bringing the VW beetle into the 21st century. The electric motor has a range of 90 to 110 miles depending on your driving. Making this a brilliant and cheap way to go to the shop or take the kids to school. Even get to that VW show for a minimal cost. The electric motor is able to achieve 80+MPG in 3rd gear, who needs anything faster.
One of the biggest concerns with a electric car is the batteries. Often they can be expensive to replace and often don't have a brilliant range. Zelectic beetles pack a 24 kWh battery, this is the same as a Nissan Leaf. You won't have to worry about changing the battery any time soon. The battery will last from 10-15 years and can travel 160,000+ miles.
Not only dose the Zelectic beetle have an electic engine it also has many other awesome features. including, White wall radial tires, Front Disc Brakes, Sound Deadening throughout, Stock transmission, Heavy duty shocks, Digital eFuel Gauge, Electric Ceramic Heater, Electric Wiper Washer pump & spray nozzle, RetroSounds Radio w/ iPod port & Speakers, LED Head/Tail lights + 3rd brake light. This means that you can have the retro look with all the modern car benefits.
If this sounds good to you drop them a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. if you would like more information then check out their website. http://www.zelectricmotors.com/.