NCJ Number
185434
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 27 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2000 Pages: 144-150
Date Published
October 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Studies show that police high-speed chases endanger lives; manufacturers are developing technology to help bring such pursuits to safe and efficient conclusions.
Abstract
Since 1983, a variety of studies of the risks and benefits of police high-speed pursuits have reported similar findings. Collisions occur in 32 percent of police pursuits; 20 percent of these collisions will result in property damage; 13 percent will result in personal injury; a fatality will occur in 1.2 percent of all pursuits; approximately 70 percent of all pursuit-related injuries and fatalities will involve occupants in the pursued vehicle; 14 percent will involve law enforcement; and 15 percent will involve innocent parties. The International Association of Chiefs of Police advocates a strict pursuit policy for police chases and favors restricting pursuits, given the inherent risks posed. Among the technologies that can reduce the risks of high-speed chases without permitting suspect escapes are three systems that disable a vehicle's electrical circuitry to bring it to a safe and controlled stop. These systems are the Road Sentry and Road Patriot, which are currently available from Non-Lethal Technologies, and the Auto-Arrestor, which is still in the development stages at Jaycor. Some agencies prefer to stick with time-proven methods, such as tire-deflation devices, until alternative technologies become more affordable and reliable. Stop Stick Ltd. offers a common tire-deflation device that is used by departments across the country. A vehicle passing over this device has its tires punctured so that it is safely disabled within 20 to 30 seconds. This device ensures officer safety and can be easily and quickly deployed and removed from the road after the targeted vehicle has passed over it.