Police pursuits

We have published the findings of our review of the legislation, guidance and practice surrounding the police’s pursuit of suspected criminals, announced in September 2017, and we are seeking views on future options in this area.

The review focussed in particular on the issues facing police drivers and whether driving in accordance with their training, experience and exemptions from certain areas of road traffic legislation might leave them facing criminal or disciplinary proceedings.

Issues set out in this document for consultation and potential future action include:

• considering whether any legislative change should apply only to police pursuits or to police response driving as well
• whether to revise the various exemptions from certain areas of road traffic legislation to make them clearer and more consistent
• amending the definitions in the offences of careless and dangerous driving to take account of the training and experience of police drivers
• making clear that a suspect being pursued is responsible for their own decision to drive dangerously and that blame should not be attached to the pursuing police officer

Subject to the outcome of this consultation and work elsewhere, the we intend to bring forward comprehensive road safety legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.