PURSUIT OF LAW VIOLATORS BY POLICE-LEGAL ASPECTS

THE UNIFORM VEHICLE CODE PROVIDES RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR DRIVERS OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES SUCH AS FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES, POLICE VEHICLES, AND AMBULANCES. THE DRIVER OF AN AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE WHEN IN PURSUIT OF AN ACTUAL OR SUSPECTED VIOLATOR OF THE LAW MAY EXERCISE THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE PROVISIONS. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE UNIFORM VEHICLE CODE PERTAINING TO THE DRIVER OF A PURSUING POLICE VEHICLE ARE QUOTED. THESE PROVISIONS ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST OFFICERS IN THE APPREHENSION OF OFFENDERS AND, AT THE SAME TIME, REDUCE THE RISK OF DANGER TO OTHER PERSONS AND PROPERTY. THE NEED TO ENFORCE THE TRAFFIC LAWS ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE PROPER CONCERN FOR THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY AND PEDESTRIANS IS REQUIRED. ADEQUATE TRAINING FOR OFFICERS CHARGED WITH SUCH RESPONSIBILITIES IS ESSENTIAL, AND CLEAR GUIDELINES SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED BY EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH THE OFFICER IS EXEMPTED FROM ENUMERATED PROVISIONS OF THE TRAFFIC LAW, HE IS UNDER THE DUTY TO EXERCISE DUE CARE. THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AND CIVIL LIABILITY ARE DISCUSSED.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 24, pp 8-12, 31 REF
• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Congress Trans

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Bonaguro, L A
• Publication Date: 1969

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Emergency vehicles; Highway safety; Legal factors; Police; Traffic law enforcement; Traffic regulations; Training
• Identifier Terms: Uniform Vehicle Code
• Uncontrolled Terms: Traffic laws
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00220929
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 22 1970 12:00AM