ALL VEHICLES SHOULD be fitted with location tracking devices according to Fine Gael’s Noel Harrington.

The Cork South West TD says it would help in the fight against crime.

“Almost all crime involving theft and burglary in rural areas involves the use of getaway vehicles, many of which are stolen.

“We know that the greatest deterrent to criminal activity is the fear of getting caught in the act.

Making it mandatory for vehicles to be fitted with location tracking devices that could be activated by the Gardaí when stolen, would help to prevent vehicle theft in the first place.

“It would also reduce the numbers of burglaries and thefts that rely on the use of stolen get away cars.”

Last month, a device on a Lexus 4×4 tracked the stolen vehicle to Uganda, where another 28 high-value cars were also recovered.

The hire car, which went missing in April, was put on a boat which traveled via Le Havre in France, Oman in the Middle East, Kenya, Africa before ending up in Uganda after two months.

Harrington added that, “Car manufacturers have a role to play in progressing this initiative. They have a responsibility to make cars more secure for their owners and also to prevent their cars bring used in other criminal activity.

If our mobile phones can be tracked all over the world then there is no reason why a small device cannot be fitted to every vehicle so that stolen cars and vans can be quickly tracked down by gardaí.

However, not everybody likes the idea of their car being tracked.

A survey carried out by Deloitte Consulting found that 47% of respondents wouldn’t want their cars to be monitored.

The survey was in relation to usage-based insurance (UBI) which offers motorists the chance to save money by proving that they drive safely and fewer miles.

The results showed that while drivers wanted to save cash, almost half said they wouldn’t use the system if it meant their car had to be monitored.

Noel Harrington added that the Minister of State, Damien English, said he will raise the European Commissioner next week.

Would you be comfortable with a tracking device on your car?

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