Expert: Dick Rogers - 5/23/2007

Question
Can you please spread some light on my fellow co-worker about the out come that if you try to help out the police in a high speed chase?  And if that law applies to all 50 states (we are in Texas).  Thank you

Answer
Glenn, sorry for the late response...heavy group of e-mails lately.  Although many people get very angry at drivers who flee from police and when they find themselves in the midst of such a pursuit, it is fairly natural for them to want to take some action to stop the suspect.  Bad idea...for many reasons.  The most important is that sometimes the pursuing officers are trying to set up a "pit maneuver" and injecting one's car into the mix fouls that up.  Secondly, the suspect could be armed and the potential there is obvious.  Third, the police are skilled in high speed driving and have learned, in most cases, to keep their anxiety levels as low as possible to maintain control of things.  Fourth, your wife, girlfriend, mother or other loved person wants to see you home for dinner...there are too many risks involved to place yourself in such a potentially dangerous situation.  Bottom line  RESIST THE IMPULSE TO GET INVOLVED.  Hope this helps.