Enhanced Safety Measures in the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle
General Motors Fleet division has unveiled a suite of new safety features and options for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV), aiming to bolster officer safety and reduce the risk of crashes. These modifications to the 2018 Tahoe PPV, which include cutting-edge technologies to potentially lower crash speeds or circumvent accidents entirely, represent Chevrolet's continuous commitment to serving the needs of law enforcement agencies.
Advanced Protective Technologies
The heart of these enhancements is an all-new Enhanced Driver Assist Package, a first-of-its-kind initiative for a pursuit-rated vehicle. This package is comprised of five unique safety features and technologies that have been introduced with the goal of keeping our officers safer on the roads. Among these new technologies is the low-speed forward automatic braking system, a novel addition to pursuit-rated vehicles. This feature autonomously applies the brakes in low-speed situations if a forward collision is imminent and the driver has not already taken action, thereby mitigating the severity of potential accidents.
Proactive Alert Systems
Alongside this, the Tahoe PPV will also be equipped with a forward collision alert system. Using a radar and a forward-looking camera, this system gauges the closing speeds between the Tahoe PPV and objects in its path, issuing a visual alert, audible beeps or seat pulses if a set threshold is surpassed. Complementing this feature, the Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning feature offers subtle steering wheel adjustments to help officers avoid crashes caused by unintentional lane drifting when the turn signals are not activated.
Focused on Driver Comfort
In an effort to cater to individual officer needs and preferences, the GM-patented Safety Alert Driver Seat gives drivers the option of receiving haptic seat-bottom vibration pulses as an alternative to audible crash avoidance alerts. The Tahoe PPV's standard 10-way power driver seat and tilt wheel are supplemented by power adjustable pedals. This feature aims to help drivers of all sizes attain their optimal driving position for maximum comfort and control.
Backing Up With Data
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported in 2017 that vehicles equipped with forward collision warning systems have demonstrated a 27% reduction in the rate of rear-end crashes reported to the police. This figure rises to a 50% reduction when combined with automatic braking. This serves as compelling evidence of the effectiveness of these technologies.
Standard Features Maintained
The 2018 Tahoe PPV will continue to come standard with features such as the StabiliTrak® Electronic Stability Control System, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, Rear Vision Camera with Rear Park Assist, and steering wheel controls, ensuring a comprehensive blend of safety, connectivity, and convenience for the officers who serve our communities.
