NCJ Number
151269
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 42 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1994) Pages: 44-48
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Seven hundred police pursuits conducted in 129 Illinois police agencies were studied to determine the risks of collisions, property damage, personal injuries, and fatalities.
Abstract
Results revealed that 271 pursuits (38.7 percent) resulted in a collision. Among the 700 pursuits, 26.1 percent resulted in property damage, 10.9 percent resulted in a personal injury, and 1.7 percent (12 pursuits) resulted in a fatality. The property damage averaged $1,425 per collision. Using data from the National Safety Council regarding economic losses from injuries and fatalities, the economic loss averaged $8,563 per pursuit initiated and $22,118 per collision. Further analysis revealed that 45.8 percent of the collisions involved only the fleeing suspect's vehicle, while 24.4 percent involved the suspect's vehicle and a citizen. Overall, 91.5 percent of the collisions involved the suspect's vehicle, 27.7 percent involved police vehicles, and 30.6 percent involved citizens. Findings from this and earlier research indicated that collisions are an inevitable outcome of police pursuits. Police should objectively assess the risks of a collision before initiating a pursuit; a future article will address methods for accomplishing this. Tables and 7 reference notes