Driver dies in stolen car chase

[robert.saunders]

A motorist has died on a motorway in County Durham after his car was hit by a stolen vehicle as its driver attempted to evade police.

Officers were trying to bring the Mitsubishi to a "controlled halt" on the north-bound carriageway of the A1M when it hit the central reservation.

The car flipped onto the south-bound side and into the path of an oncoming Peugeot, killing the Peugeot driver.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed.

Terrible

If this is a 4x4, would it be a difficult vehicle to stop in a TPAC type manoeuvre?

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nort...iver-dies-in-stolen-car-chase-72703-21364204/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/7513123.stm

 

[recycled]

Oh dear. not again

 

[st4]

Oh dear, where do I begin. It always seems that the innocent ones die in these sort of things, not the yobs who stole the cars.

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

What makes you think it was a 4 x 4?

Surely the Police wouldn't try to use this manoevre if chances of success were low.

I must admit I assumed it was a Lancer model (evo)?

Cheers,

 

[robert.saunders]

It's the flipping over that makes me think that would happen more likely in a 4x4-type vehicle, I can't see a saloon flipping at the speeds in which these TPAC stops are normally undertaken; in which case, sure it's conjecture but I hope it was an extraordinary accident, with sadly tragic results

 

[robert.saunders]

Added link:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne..._killed_in_police_bid_to_stop_stolen_pick_up/

States it was an L200; not the best vehicle to stop using TPAC perhaps? I hope for some expert opinion

 

[Dieselman]

For a long time I've thought the Police should use something like this for stopping stolen cars.

 

[glojo]

I hope for some expert opinion

Hi Robert,
I'm sure we will get the 'expert' opinion, but we can all guess who these experts will be.

My own generalised thoughts are that any stolen\suspect vehicle should never be allowed off a motorway, The emergency services should do all within their powers to stop the vehicle before it gets the chance to run amok in towns, cities etc.

Okay folks will nit pick my statement and come out with numerous 'what if' type scenarios, but a dual carriageway is usually a far safer place to keep the lunatic, rather than let them into crowded urban areas.

There should be a minimum mandatory sentence for ANY driver\rider that fails to stop! A minimum, no quibble arbitrary custodial sentence and that would be just for starters.

Regarding this very specific event then clearly it needs to be investigated but in America the driver of the 'stolen' vehicle would be charged with causing that death, no matter if there were contributory factors.

John

 

[Inkyskin]

In that last link it states:

"In an attempt to avoid this the Mitsubishi hit the central reservation and flipped onto the southbound carriageway"

That sounds almost like he was purely at fault, and was nothing to do with the actual TPAC... of course that's speculation on my part.

I wonder what they used for the maneuver?

 

[st4]

I rather like DM's suggestion

But in all seriousness when you watch road wars they (the police) do try and keep the chases on the Mway and end them their. Invariably there may be a c*ck up every now and then but by and large these chases end successfully.

 

[pammy]

A very tragic event indeed caused purely by the scum that stole the vehicle.

I feel so for the family of the innocent driver and the officers concerned.

 

[BTB 500]

Tragic story.

Most of those pickups have very basic suspension (leaf springs) and are quite high ... an abrupt swerve to avoid being boxed in could easily result in a rollover and flipping the barrier.

 

[crockers]

Here's a thought ... why not legislate that all new cars have to have an automatic speed limiter fitted.... and if actioned my higher authorities it brings the car to a halt....

I know it was out of left field -- but just a thought. I also can see problems with it - others hijacking the access codes etc

 

[st13phil]

Wasn't (isn't?) there a version of Tracker that has a facility for remote fuel cutoff?

 

[Dieselman]

Here's a thought ... why not legislate that all new cars have to have an automatic speed limiter fitted.... and if actioned my higher authorities it brings the car to a halt....

I can't wait for the Civil rights brigade to start..

Any system like that could be over-ridden by a simple remap.

The case mentioned is sad because an innocent party has been killed, but it's not the Police's fault. they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
personally I'm happy with them forcing vehicles to stop and being in the way is a risk I will take as a road user.
I'm not sure how many forced stops thay make a year but am sure the percentage that go wrong is insignificant, but as a result of them doing this the roads are a safer place generally.

Maybe they should not use the safe methds used at present and should adopt the nudge tactics of the US Police. Just flip the chased car over and take the risk on the occupant being injured or worse.

 

[chriswt]

Wasn't (isn't?) there a version of Tracker that has a facility for remote fuel cutoff?

Excellent idea.

Personally I think this is the best type of security system on offer. You can also get an alarm that can be activated remotely to stop the car.

I think these types of system reduce the power of the car slowly so that the car can come to a safe and controlled stop.

1. This means that no one has to tackle a theive if their car is being stolen

2. If the alarm is delayed the theive will be far enough away from you or your house before the car stops.

3. No dangerous police chases

 

[kjay]

http://www.drivingban.co.uk/drivingoffencespenalties.htm

I'm not certain if this link is up to date. But bearing in mind the scum could tick a few boxes on the list, I wonder what the eventual sentence will be.

Isn't it time that serious motoring offences should carry a compulsory lifetime driving ban?
In cases that didn't result in death then perhaps been revoked after a period (10/15 years?) if the offender commits no further offences?

No doubt the police involved will be thoroughly investigated, but there's only one person responsible for what happened. Scum.

.

 

[pammy]

I must admit I find the bans these people get laughable, especially as they are so difficult to enforce. I think any accident caused by dangerous driving should carry a minimum 5 year ban. Cause death by dangerous and along with a prison term - a lifetime ban is apt.

 

[Shude]

I must admit I find the bans these people get laughable, especially as they are so difficult to enforce. I think any accident caused by dangerous driving should carry a minimum 5 year ban. Cause death by dangerous and along with a prison term - a lifetime ban is apt.

I like it when they ban a 15-year-old from driving for 2 years, starting from when (if) they get their provisional license.

That seems like a highly effective deterrent to me...

 

[Dieselman]

I must admit I find the bans these people get laughable, especially as they are so difficult to enforce. I think any accident caused by dangerous driving should carry a minimum 5 year ban. Cause death by dangerous and along with a prison term - a lifetime ban is apt.

Hasn't the law and guidelines changed recently to impose tougher and more automatic sentencing for Death by careless driving. Dangerous driving was difficult to prove.