NCJ Number
158434
Date Published
1994
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Emphasizing the importance of judgment and attention to safe driving, this training video and manual presents practical guidelines and suggestions for police officers who will engage in a pursuit.
Abstract
The narrator notes that more than 300 fatalities occur each year in these pursuits. The instructions explain both pursuit techniques and the factors involved in deciding when a high-speed chase is justified and when to call off a pursuit. Police officers are advised to drive the road and avoid tunnel vision when engaged in a high-speed pursuit. They must continuously assess the situation and be aware of the entire surroundings, keep a safe distance from the fleeing vehicle, and manage their stress. Techniques are demonstrated for controlling the vehicle, steering, braking, and avoiding and handling skids. Using views from inside the police car, the film demonstrates proper positioning of the hands on the steering wheel, the technique called shuffle steering, and responses to situations on the road. The film uses driving scenes from both streets and a police driver training course.