CatClaw gives cars that mount kerbs flat tyres
Terrorists in vans who try to mow down pedestrians may think again, thanks to a new device that can be installed along kerbs to quickly puncture their tyres.
When a vehicle drives over a CatClaw, which is the size of a small orange, its weight pushes a button down, exposing a sharp steel tube that quickly punctures the tyre. The device, which is currently only at the prototype phase, will also act as a deterrent against illegal pavement parking.
Its creator envisages it being installed in its thousands along kerbs and other pedestrianised areas around the world. Yannick Read, from the Environmental Transport Association (ETA), was inspired to invent the device after watching footage of terror attacks involving cars. To prevent terror attacks at certain locations, physical obstructions such as steel bollards or concrete blocks are the only practicable counter-measure.
The car used to attack pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in March of 2017, for example, would have been rendered undriveable if all its tyres had been punctured by CatClaw. This could have prevented its driver from reaching high speeds and staying in control of the vehicle.
CatClaw provides a 'cheap and effective secondary line of defence over a widespread area,' the ETA says. According to Mr Read, CatClaw poses no threat to pedestrians as a person standing on top of the device would not be heavy enough to activate it. He said: ' 43 people were killed last year by cars and lorries as they walked along a pavement or verge, so I invented CatClaw to reduce this type of terror as much as to tackle politically- motivated attacks.'
The ETA suggests that CatClaw can provide a powerful deterrent against illegal pavement parking where is installed. Each unit takes three minutes to install, doesn't require an energy supply or upkeep, and costs only a few pounds to produce.
CatClaw's can be installed surrounded by solar- powered LED markers as a warning, if necessary. Mr Read told the Bristol Post that the problem of pavement parking is growing.
'The rise of internet shopping means we hear complaints from many people about delivery drivers - couriers and supermarket delivery vans - who would rather pull up onto the pavement to make deliveries thank risk the anger of drivers stuck behind them,' he said. Mr Read added that he believes it's not just delivery drivers who are at fault and that our impatient society is also to blame.
'Driving on pavements has become socially acceptable - people don't think anything of it,' he said.
Mr Read said the response to his CatClaw prototype has been mostly positive and that he welcomes any critical input from the public.
' We've shown the principle works,' he said. ' It wouldn't be appropriate to put them everywhere.
'I'd be interested to hear their objections,' said Mr Read.
While it is illegal to park on the pavement in London, it is legal to do so in other parts of the UK if road signs permit it.