The FBI has attempted to collect accurate stats about police high speed chase but the research is sketchy. It’s believed that pursuits result in about 400 deaths each year and going up. One organization estimates that about 2,500 persons die each year as a result of police pursuits and that another 55,000 are injured.
Chasing dangerous criminals through busy city streets and down highways is a reality of police work. Getting caught in the middle of one of those pursuits, and making a wrong decision, can throw you directly in a path of danger. Too many times, uninvolved drivers get tangled up in the chase.
Captain Michael Rackey from the Charles County Sheriff’s office in Maryland advises commuters to use common sense, and be aware of your surroundings when you’re driving, “know what’s going on to the right of you, the left of you, in front of you and behind you.”
One of the biggest issues for the police is distracted drivers who are talking on cell phones or have their radio blaring. Capt. Rackey says if you find yourself in a pursuit, don’t try to move out of the way, just stay right where you are. It’s easier for the police to maneuver their way around you, than for you to get out of the way.
Police are turning to devices like GPS to track down the bad guys. Once the find them they have several tricks. One effective tools is the the Stop Stick. It’s about 15 feet long, and is thrown out in front of the vehicle being pursued. The stick is filled with hallow nails and when the tires roll over them, they flatten the tires in a matter of mere seconds. Charles County Sheriff’s deputies demonstrated this for us at their training ground in Southern Maryland.
Another tactic used is the PIT maneuver; this is when a cop pursing a suspect car can force the vehicle to turn sideways, causing the suspect to lose control and stop abruptly.
The best advice from all of our experts is don’t try to be a hero and pay attention to your surroundings.
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