POLICE CAR BRAKES OK, CITY SAYS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 31, 1992                   TAG: 9201310143
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
POLICE CAR BRAKES OK, CITY SAYS
Roanoke officials have put the brakes on criticism of 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic police cars.
A city study found no problem with the car's anti-lock brakes, which have been criticized by police in other states.
"We are not experiencing an excessive brake wear in the 1991 Chevrolet Caprice," said George Snead, the city's public safety director. The cars show no greater brake wear than 1989 and 1990 models, Snead said Thursday.
The city's Motor Vehicle Maintenance Department reviewed computer records on brakes, transmissions and tires. The city felt compelled to look at the car's safety features after Officer Fred Robinson died in a crash Jan. 5. Police attributed Robinson's death to excessive speed and his failure to wear a seat belt.
Roanoke bought 17 of the $11,900 cars last year and put them into service from May to July.
The Caprice Classic has become the vehicle of choice for many police agencies nationwide. The Caprice Classic is the only full-sized car offered with a police package, which usually includes a beefed-up suspension, a bigger engine and other features.
James A. McClung, who manages the city's vehicle fleet, said earlier that maintenance records showed the car Robinson was driving required new front brake pads about every 10,000 miles.
Police say brake wear on police cars is heavier because of increased brake use in the city and because the cars are driven 24 hours a day.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB