Point of Contact

Jersey Evening Post - UK Newspaper

A JERSEY garage has become the first dealer in Britain to offer motorists the after-sales option of giving car thieves the finger.

Auto Electric, in Byron Road, is now stocking biometric immobilisers which laser scan fingerprints before the car can be started.

All you do is turn the ignition to the point where the car electrics come on (but the engine doesn’t) and then place your finger on the scanner, which is no bigger than a matchbox. Within two seconds, your preprogrammed fingerprint has been scanned and 100 minute individual characteristics checked. Once your print has been accepted, the key can be turned the rest of the way as normal to start the engine.

It is wireless, compatible with most other security and immobiliser systems and can be overridden with a pin number. The top model can hold up to 30 different fingerprints.

Now, at this point, there will be smart arses sitting at home saying: ‘Yeah, right. Serious car thieves would just cut my fingers off.’ If you are one of those, you’ll be pleased to know that makers at ATRD have thought of that.

The finger must have a pulse, so you might be left without your pinky, but you will still have your car.

The scanner comes in many finishes from modest, understated black or brushed steel to in-your-face LED flashing bling box.

Owner of Auto Electrics James Hill said: “The great thing about this system is that it is so adaptable. It can be fitted to cars, boats, motorbikes and even aircraft.

‘I have been chasing this for 18 months, but ATRD would not let it go to market until now and we are the first dealer to stock it. It’s the only one of its kind on the market that can be fitted as an after-sales extra.’

The Ferrari is the first vehicle it has been fitted to in Jersey. ‘The owner thinks it is fantastic.’ He added. ‘There are lots of options to tailor the system to personal needs and there are three or four different models.