In a year, Florida witnessed a tripling of fatalities in car chases following a single rule change.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has faced criticism over its recent decision to loosen its rules regarding police chases, with many experts and law enforcement organizations raising concerns about public safety.
The change in policy has resulted in a significant increase in the number of pursuits and fatalities. Fatalities have tripled since the FHP loosened its chase rules, from 5 in 2023 to 15 in 2024, according to data reported by TCPalm.
One tragic incident involved an FHP trooper driving in oncoming traffic during a chase, resulting in a head-on collision with a truck driver, leading to the death of both individuals. This incident underscores the seriousness of the concerns raised by safety advocates.
Law enforcement organizations, including the Department of Justice, suggest the use of alternative methods such as aviation patrol, delayed arrests, and tools like Starchase, to reduce the risks associated with pursuits. However, the FHP has not explicitly mentioned any plans to adopt aerial patrol as a replacement for ground pursuits.
The Department of Justice has also issued guidance, advising against PIT maneuvers at speeds over 40 mph due to safety concerns. Despite this, the use of PIT maneuvers has increased from 100 to 286 since the change in policy.
Roy Taylor, a national police procedure expert, states that the current FHP chase policy goes against guidelines from multiple U.S. police organizations. Critics argue that the policy change defies safety guidelines and endangers everyone, including police officers and innocent bystanders.
The family of the deceased truck driver is currently suing the state, claiming that the FHP officer was unsafe in his pursuit. Scofflaws may become more emboldened if they know officers won't chase them, potentially leading to an increase in dangerous behaviour on the roads.
The policy change comes amidst a broader trend of law enforcement agencies across the nation attempting to reduce chases. The police department in Washington D.C., for example, relaxed its pursuit rules after the city was placed under federal control by President Donald Trump in 2025, focusing on clearing homeless encampments and targeting migrants without legal status. However, the search results do not provide specific data on how the number of deaths has evolved following this policy change.
Some experts suggest that Florida could potentially follow the example of its opposite coast sibling and implement aerial patrol instead of ground pursuits. This approach could help reduce the risks associated with high-speed chases and potentially save lives.
As the debate continues, it is clear that finding a balance between public safety and the need to catch fleeing suspects is of the utmost importance. Law enforcement organizations stress the importance of finding safer options to protect both the public and their officers.
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