NCJ Number
209661
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 56,58,59
Date Published
April 2005
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Since approximately half of all officers killed in the line of duty are killed in traffic accidents, this article advises officers on ways to improve their safety while operating a police vehicle.
Abstract
Officers increase their risk for accidents when they do not stay well within the limits of their driving skills under various conditions. Officers must have a realistic appraisal of their driving skill and then drive at approximately 80 percent of the limits of their ability. This means not pressing the speed of a car to the limit of one's ability to maneuver it under given conditions. Another significant factor in safe driving is maintaining the correct tire pressure. Correct tire pressure is critical to a car's performance in terms of traction, cornering, stability, and braking. A well-maintained anti-lock braking system (ABS) is also important for driver safety. Although police cars have had ABS for some time, ABS was not traditionally provided for police motorcycles. This has now changed, and police agencies should take steps to ensure that their motorcycles have ABS. ABS is particularly important for motorcycle officers because of the danger of losing control of the motorcycle while braking under changing conditions of the road surface over the braking distance.