AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Austin police are set to begin using drones to help them investigate fatal traffic accidents.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that the use of drones will cut down the time officers spend gathering evidence by as much as 80 percent.
Austin police are set to hold several hearings over the next two weeks to inform the public about how the drones will be used.
Police Lt. Blake Johnson said current investigations of fatal traffic accidents can often take up to three hours to complete.
He said drones can cut that time down to 15 minutes and will also improve safety for officers investigating such accidents.
Critics of the technology have raised privacy concerns.
But Johnson said the drones will only be used to investigate traffic crash scenes.
Back in May, the City of Dallas debated about whether or not to start using drones for the police department instead of a helicopter.
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