Could Boosted Police Cars Put An End To High-Speed Chases?

In 90% of scenarios, the issue is not the vehicle's speed but a legal concept known as 'due diligence.' A law enforcement officer must drive with the safety of bystanders and innocent drivers in mind, whereas the fleeing individual shows no regard for anyone. If the officer chases when they should have called off the chase and someone is injured or killed, the agency will face legal consequences, and the officer could be fired. Conversely, the fleeing felon might face legal repercussions, but they likely lack the funds to pursue the matter.

This is why, in most cases, high-speed chases are rare in heavily populated areas unless a serious crime is at stake. Officers must balance the need for apprehension with the need for public safety. For instance, a reckless driver might be chased through rush hour, but a person with a gunshot wound certainly would not.

No car is faster than radio, and not even an airplane can outpace a police car if the need arises. However, pursuits remain dangerous to everyone involved. Even if faster police vehicles could end chases quicker, the very act of chasing poses risks. Anytime multiple vehicles are speeding through traffic, there's always the chance that something could go wrong.

Modern police technology, such as the GPS device that is fired at and attaches to the vehicle being chased, has proven highly effective. Stop sticks, designed to flatten tires instantaneously, are also very effective. However, the use of such devices can still result in damage. As technology advances, it is hoped that more effective and safer methods will be developed to terminate fleeing vehicles.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is that most chases start from a moving or rolling position. It's not just about catching the culprit but about stopping them safely so the officer can make an arrest. Another significant issue is the cost and fragility of the equipment. An excessively fast police car would be expensive, fragile, fuel-consuming, and lack space for essential equipment.

Intervention techniques, such as the use of pursuit bumpers to spin the fleeing vehicle, are popular but still result in damage. As technology develops, it is hoped that better, more effective, and safer methods will be devised to handle vehicle pursuits. However, for now, the risks and costs associated with such interventions mean that they will likely remain a last resort for police.

In conclusion, while faster police vehicles could potentially reduce the duration of high-speed chases, the dangers associated with pursuits and the need for public safety must always be considered first. As technology and law enforcement strategies evolve, it is hoped that the methods used to end chases will become both more effective and safer for all parties involved.