Emergency Driving and Pursuit Policy Review

Terminology and legal requirements for emergency vehicle operation and pursuit based on the New Jersey Attorney General’s policy and state motor vehicle codes.

Authorized Emergency Vehicles

Vehicles including police, fire, ambulance, and other vehicles approved by the NJ DMV when operated in response to an emergency call.

Audible Warning Devices

Required equipment for an authorized emergency vehicle consisting of a siren, whistle, or bell.

Visible Warning Devices

Equipment required for an emergency vehicle consisting of at least one red light.

Right of Way Yielding

The requirement for drivers to yield to authorized emergency vehicles sounding audible and emitting visible warning devices while on official business or in pursuit.

Speed Regulation Exemptions

Legal allowances for military personnel during riots or police officers apprehending violators to exceed speed limits, provided they have justifiable cause and drive in a safe manner.

Attorney General’s Police Vehicular Pursuit Policy

The policy issued in December $1985$ and last revised in July $2009$ designed to assist officers in pursuit decision-making and ensure public safety.

Pursuit Incident Report

A mandatory report required to be filed by all law enforcement officers who operate vehicles in vehicular pursuit situations.

Due Regard

The legal and professional responsibility of an emergency vehicle driver to care for the safety of others despite exemptions from certain traffic laws.

Tunnel Vision

A phenomenon where the field of vision narrows as vehicle speed increases.

Stationary Field of Vision

The peripheral vision of an average person with a stationary vehicle, measuring approximately $180$ degrees.

Peripheral Vision at $30\text{\,mph}$

A driver's peripheral vision reduced to $120$ degrees.

Peripheral Vision at $50\text{\,mph}$

A driver's peripheral vision reduced to $90$ degrees.

Peripheral Vision at $60\text{\,mph}$

A driver's peripheral vision reduced to $60$ degrees, where approaching cars at a $90$ degree angle may not be seen until a collision occurs.

Peripheral Vision at $80\text{\,mph}$

A driver's peripheral vision reduced to its narrowest recorded point of $30$ degrees.

NJ Intersection Law

The state law mandate that emergency vehicles must stop at all stop signs and red light signals during emergency driving.

Wet Pavement Stopping Distance

The condition where the distance required to stop a vehicle increases by approximately $70\%$.

Antilock Brake System (ABS) Indicator

A pulsating sensation in the brake pedal indicating the system has been activated and is allowing steering capability during emergency braking.

Proper Passing Technique

The maneuver of passing on the left, as motorists hearing a siren often pull to the right.

Vehicle Pursuit Positioning

The tactic of keeping the police vehicle to the far left of the lane without crossing the center dividing line to increase visibility.

Reckless Disregard

A legal standard that means the driver of an emergency vehicle is not relieved from consequences if they ignore the safety of others.