[burtandnancy]

Only in LA...

 

[Derek Bell]

BTW Derek: did you ascertain if it was a 450 or a 451 ?

Definitely a 451, registration came back as a 2008.

On another note, the guy was switching between normal headlamps and foglights/parking lights. He would do this as he passed under bridges and overpasses. I think he may have felt that "changing the appearance" of the car might throw us off.

It didn't.

 

[Derek Bell]

So as someone who has seen many chases, Do you think the cops could pit a smart car since it has no back end to spin around.

That's good question. I expect that it could be done.

It seems that not only would have to be done very carefully, the smart might not spin out the way many other cars do. I'm thinking about the ESP and the engine being between the two rear driving wheels.

There are probably more than one PIT-qualified officers out there who would like to at least try it.

 

[2442]

That's good question. I expect that it could be done.

It seems that not only would have to be done very carefully, the smart might not spin out the way many other cars do. I'm thinking about the ESP and the engine being between the two rear driving wheels.

There are probably more than one PIT-qualified officers out there who would like to at least try it.

My opinion:

I don't think the 'Pit' would have to be completed, the ESP would kick in and bring the engine to an idle.

In August 07, I was demonstrating (showing off) the car when I made a Boulevard U turn at high speed. The engine went to idle and straightened the car out, went to the outside shoulder and would not allow me to proceed for about 15-20 seconds.

Donald LaFavor

 

[Derek Bell]

Yep. One of the key features of the PIT maneuver, and most people don't know this, is that newer cars (with automatic transmissions, of course) will automatically switch off the fuel to the engine if the car is in drive and sensors detect that the wheels turning backwards.

Many times the fuel cutoff switch must be manually reset. Often that reset switch is located in the trunk or somewhere the driver cannot reach.

So theoretically, if the weight of the front of the patrol car can overcome the traction of the rear wheels of the smart, then the smart could spin out (a full 180 degrees would not likely, as you said, be necessary). Once that happens, the pursuing officers will have the opportunity to extract the offending driver because the smart will have shut down (at least for some time).

 

[Turbo42]

How about that the reporter is a member of scoa now thats priceless. I am jealous I could not be there to see it live. No offense but the people in the news room were like in speeds of 100mph I was like they need to research the smart a little better lol. I bet that was a good feeling when you finally realized it was a smart car I too have wanted to see this happen. Keep up the good work

 

[burtandnancy]

Only in LA...

 

[Derek Bell]

How about that the reporter is a member of scoa now thats priceless.

What if the driver that was chased is too?

Double priceless.

 

[Suze]

What if the driver that was chased is too?

Double priceless.

No Kidding.

I'd love to see him/her post the other side of this story!


-umm... after bail is posted, of course.

 

[forestacademy]

No Kidding.

I'd love to see him/her post the other side of this story!


-umm... after bail is posted, of course.

I don't this his attorney would advise him to make a statement here.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Oh, this is really funny!

-now the smart has some street cred.

"The Getaway" - he actually "evaded" the police! (yes, they stopped by themselves)

ROLE PLAY!

cop: license and registration please.
smart owner: ok
c: do you know how fast you were going?
so: Do you know how many mpgs I get at 90?
c: no
so: lets see (speeds away, forgetting that he/she gave the cop his/her info)

10 minutes later during chase

so: sweet, I bet I'm getting over 30 mpgs!
so: where's my license...... whoops!

Oh I can so imagine that!

As far as the PIT, it'll be funny to see a cop try, the smart might just swerve a little and make the the cop look stupid after a couple of tries.

Then again, the owner is obviously STUPID!!

Here's a cool failed pit maneuver story

 

[forestacademy]

Give that man a job as a stunt man

 

[jediknight36]

What does PIT mean?

 

[Derek Bell]

What does PIT mean?

From Wikipedia:

"The most common meanings are Precision Immobilization Technique, Pursuit Intervention Technique, Parallel Immobilization Technique, and Precision Intervention Tactic."

 

[jediknight36]

From Wikipedia:

"The most common meanings are Precision Immobilization Technique, Pursuit Intervention Technique, Parallel Immobilization Technique, and Precision Intervention Tactic."

Ok, but what is involved. I'm in my Blackberry and SCOA is blocked at work.

 

[Derek Bell]

Ok, but what is involved. I'm in my Blackberry and SCOA is blocked at work.

Basically when the time is right, the pursuing officer positions the patrol car with his front wheel along side the rear wheel of the fleeing vehicle. He gives the steering wheel a good turn, pushing hard against the suspect's rear wheel causing him to "spin out".

As we said before, this will disable most late model cars with automatic transmissions, allowing the officers to affect an arrest.

Advanced PIT Knowledge:

-Here in Kalifornia, only "PIT Certified" officers are allowed to initiate the maneuver, and even then it generally requires supervisor's approval.

-The pitting officer will continue driving on after spinning the suspect out. This keeps him clear of being in the crossfire (area) of the officers behind him.

 

[burtandnancy]

We'll be able to see last nights adventures on COPS soon...

 

[fpage77]

I can't believe I just heard about this mess.

 

[NCC1701]

if jediknight hadn't asked, I was going to ask. Seems extremely dangerous to me. I guess it is an action taken only if deemed necessary to protect the general public.

 

[jetfuel]

...totally correct NCC...
...PIT= park it there...

jetfuel