NCJ Number
143814
Date Published
1992
Length
28 pages
Annotation
National statistics indicate that accident rates for emergency vehicles are about 2.5 times higher per vehicle mile than accident rates for other professional drivers; consequently, the Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Police Department's Training Academy has developed an instructional module that covers defensive driving, vehicle dynamics and braking, pursuit driving, and liability issues.
Abstract
The module is based on the premise that law enforcement officers should receive as much information as possible regarding vehicle dynamics and limitations, since most officers spend approximately two-thirds of every working day between the wheel of a police vehicle. Environmental forces acting on a vehicle influence the amount of control an emergency vehicle operator has at any given time. If adhesion limits are not exceeded by the vehicle, the operator can control both the velocity and the direction of corners. As the operator accelerates or decelerates, the weight of the vehicle shifts from one side of the vehicle to the other or from back to front. This transfer of weight, if not handled properly, can cause an accident. Further, the use of emergency equipment does not guarantee police officer safety. Emergency vehicle operators should expect that some people will not hear or see the signal or will react improperly. Therefore, the 2-second rule should be applied by leaving an adequate space between the police vehicle and the vehicle in front. While Maryland law permits law enforcement officers to violate sections of the Transportation Code, due regard still remains a primary consideration. The proper use of emergency equipment does not relieve officers of the duty to otherwise exercise caution.