Car Chases: Why Don’t the Police Shoot at the Engine Compartment?

Introduction

Car chases are an elusive but common sight, often seen in various forms of media and news reports. During these pursuits, one often imagines the police shooting at the engine compartment of the suspect’s vehicle to disable it. However, this is not a tactic police officers commonly employ. In this article, we will explore why shooting at the engine compartment is not an effective or safe method during a car chase, highlighting the inherent risks and alternative tactics.

Risk and Inherent Dangers

Safety Concerns: One of the primary reasons police officers avoid shooting at the engine compartment is the significant risk posed to bystanders, officers, and the suspect. Bullets can easily miss their intended target, ricochet, or hit nearby structures or vehicles, leading to unintended injuries or fatalities. This is especially true during high-speed chases where quick evasive maneuvers and rapid changes of direction are common.

Accuracy Issues: The difficulty of accurately hitting a specific target like the engine compartment when a vehicle is moving at high speeds cannot be overstated. The likelihood of missing the intended target and hitting other parts of the car is high, which could lead to further risks. Positions and angles in a chase often make aiming at a tiny, irregularly shaped engine compartment nearly impossible.

Legal and Policy Restrictions: Many police departments have strict policies regarding the use of firearms. Engaging in gunfire during a car pursuit is generally prohibited unless there is an immediate threat to life. Police are trained to prioritize de-escalation and the use of non-lethal methods, such as spike strips or roadblocks, where possible.

Engine Vulnerability and Technology Limitations

Engine Design and Materials: Modern vehicles are designed with durability in mind. The engine compartment is typically made of high-strength materials that can withstand minor to moderate bullet impacts without causing incapacitation. Engine blocks, radiators, and other components are crafted to withstand the rigors of daily operation, minimally considering an occasional gunshot. Even a direct hit on the radiator is not guaranteed to fully disable the vehicle, especially if the bullet strikes the metal edges instead of the rubber or plastic components.

Effective Alternatives: Police often rely on alternative methods to stop a suspect's vehicle. These include the use of spike strips to puncture the tires, or initiating PIT maneuvers to force the suspect vehicle to lose control. In some cases, when the suspect's license plate is known, police can use a switch to kill the engine and apply the brakes, as demonstrated in the Miami Dade police department, allowing them to swiftly end the chase.

For instance, Miami Dade police have a technique to disable new sports cars by using the vehicle's license plate and VIN to bring down the engine and brakes, often terminating a chase within 45 seconds. Similar systems are being explored in other jurisdictions to ensure quick and safe resolution of chases.

Physical and Technical Considerations

Engine BlockShape and Materials: The irregular shape and high-strength materials used in engine blocks pose significant challenges. A bullet might pass through the plastic and rubber components and strike the engine block, potentially fragmenting or ricocheting in an unpredictable direction. Multiple police vehicles attempting to target the engine in a chase scenario could result in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) of sorts, where ricochets and fragments create a hazardous environment for all involved.

Tire Shots and Their Limitations: Shooting at tires is another common misconception. While it might seem like a viable option, it is just as fraught with complications. The chances are high that a bullet would strike the wheel itself, which is also composed of high-strength metal. This would cause the bullet to fragment or ricochet, or it might simply pass through the tire without damaging it, hitting the ground instead. Even if the tire is successfully punctured, it may not be enough to bring the vehicle to a full stop.

Conclusion

The focus during a car chase is to safely apprehend the suspect while minimizing risks to all involved. Using firearms to disable the engine is not only ineffective but also dangerous for all parties. Alternative methods, such as using spike strips, initiating PIT maneuvers, or employing technology designed to quickly disable vehicles, are generally safer and more effective. These approaches prioritize the well-being of all involved while aiming to conclude the pursuit as swiftly as possible.