FAQ
TL;DR: Remote car stops lean on telematics, not EMP. A TV demo claimed “300‑mile‑high EMP” coverage, but “The actual equipment is large.” Police instead trigger provider commands like OnStar VIN-based shutdown. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663051]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps drivers, engineers, and policy makers understand practical, safer ways police can stop fleeing vehicles without collateral damage.
Quick Facts
- EMP rigs need significant power and bulky hardware; they are impractical as roadside tools. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663051]
- OnStar can disable a GM vehicle after police supply the VIN over cellular. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663052]
- Safety risk: frying ECUs can lock brakes or cause loss of control. [Elektroda, Rainer Kordmaa, post #21663057]
- Any remote cut-off must already be installed in the target vehicle. [Elektroda, Steve Lawson, post #21663058]
- Anecdotal hotspot: over 100 Vauxhall breakdowns a year near a radar site. [Elektroda, Sarah Harris, post #21663055]
Can police stop a car with EMP?
It’s theoretically possible but not practical. Effective EMP needs high power, close proximity, and large equipment. Vehicles also include some noise hardening. “This is just not going to happen with today’s technology.” Use telematics instead of blast methods for real operations. [Elektroda, Peter Owens, post #21663049]
Is EMP the only way to halt a fleeing vehicle?
No. Telematics services can slow or disable a car by sending a digital command. OnStar is a common example in GM vehicles. Police provide the VIN, and the provider issues the shutdown over cellular. This avoids indiscriminate electronic damage. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663052]
How does an OnStar-style remote disable actually work?
Dispatch contacts the telematics provider, supplies the VIN, and requests a slow-down or kill command. The vehicle’s receiver processes the command and reduces power or disables ignition. The process rides the cellular network, not EMP. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663052]
Does the car need special hardware installed first?
Yes. Remote immobilization only works if the target vehicle already has the receiver and control logic onboard. Without that hardware, roadside transmitters or commands achieve nothing. [Elektroda, Steve Lawson, post #21663058]
Can police use a car’s alarm to cut the ignition?
Some alarm or immobilizer systems accept a coded message that turns off the ignition. That requires an integrated alarm module designed to accept authorized control. It’s not a universal capability across all cars. [Elektroda, Richard Comerford, post #21663054]
Is frying the ECU while the car moves safe?
No. Destroying control electronics can cause unpredictable behavior, including brake lock or loss of steering assist. Safer approaches reduce power gradually via built-in telematics rather than inducing failures. [Elektroda, Rainer Kordmaa, post #21663057]
What is EMP in this context?
EMP is a high-intensity electromagnetic pulse that can disrupt or damage electronics. Military scenarios consider it, but civilian vehicle stopping would need very strong, close-range fields. Collateral effects are a major concern. [Elektroda, Peter Owens, post #21663049]
Could an EMP stop nearby bystanders’ cars too?
Yes. A strong pulse near a roadway could affect multiple vehicles, not just the target. Limiting damage to a single car requires proximity and precision that current field gear cannot achieve reliably. [Elektroda, Peter Owens, post #21663049]
Are there real incidents of RF messing with cars?
Users reported hotspots where many cars failed near a radar listening station. One post cites over 100 Vauxhall breakdowns per year at the same spot, suggesting RF interference concerns. [Elektroda, Sarah Harris, post #21663055]
My car acted strangely near antennas—am I imagining it?
Not necessarily. A driver reported a Dodge Caravan’s rear wiper and washer activating on a specific freeway stretch beside radar antennas. RF environments can trigger odd behaviors in some systems. [Elektroda, Steve Lawson, post #21663059]
Do police actually use a harpoon or spike-strip EMP?
TV segments and videos show harpoon-like contact EMP concepts. However, the demonstrations aren’t convincing, and practicality remains doubtful versus telematics. Fieldable systems still look bulky and constrained. [Elektroda, Peter Owens, post #21663056]
What other tools help police besides shutdown commands?
Event data recorders can log speed, braking, and gear data. That evidence has supported court cases after fatal crashes. License-plate recognition on traffic cams may also aid tracking. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663052]
How would a safe remote stop typically proceed?
Use telematics to request controlled slowing rather than killing the engine outright. Gradual power reduction minimizes crash risk compared with destroying components mid-chase. Safety comes first in pursuit policies. [Elektroda, Rainer Kordmaa, post #21663057]
Can a 300‑mile‑high EMP disable the whole country?
A TV claim said so, but a practitioner pushed back, noting practicality and power limits. “The actual equipment is large,” and real-world deployment is doubtful compared with targeted telematics. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663051]
How do police request a telematics shutdown? (3-step)
- Provide the VIN and incident details to the telematics provider.
- Provider authenticates and issues a slow-down or disable command.
- Vehicle receives the cellular command and reduces power to a controlled stop. [Elektroda, Chuck Sydlo, post #21663052]
