MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley on Wednesday signed into law a bill that strengthens penalties for those who attempt to elude law enforcement officers.

“When someone flees, they put themselves in danger, innocent people in danger and the law enforcement officers chasing them in danger. I hope these tougher penalties will make someone think twice if they get the idea of trying to outrun the police,” said Governor Riley.

The new law, sponsored by Senator Rusty Glover, makes intentionally eluding an officer by any means punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,000. If a person is harmed or killed during the chase, the crime becomes a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.

Under the new law, those who attempt to elude police will also have their driver’s license suspended for a period of time of six months to two years.

The new law is named the “Officer Keith E. Houts Act” in honor of a Montgomery police officer who was killed in 2006 by motorist while conducting a traffic stop. The killer fled and was captured in Georgia.

http://tinyurl.com/pwj89r

I did think of the fact it could definitely be a rapist or a murderer on the run or any horrible person out there that doesn’t want to get caught.  That is the reason I NEVER flash my lights to warn a car that the police are hid out somewhere.  That is probably how they catch a lot of people that need to be caught.  To the flashers that is something to think about.  But, if a person is weaving on the road, that usually indicates they are drunk or high  or 5 or 6 years old.  This is when I feel they shouldn’t be chased because they are going to wreck and kill themselves or some innocent person.  If the situation was different such as someone being held hostage in a car by a rapist, murderer, someone  on the run that just escaped prison,  or someone that has robbed a bank and got hostages, sure a different strategy would have to be used.  Those situations could be a life or death situation before a chase started. Sadly  if they run and have nothing to loose then they aren’t going to care if they crash and kill their hostage or whoever trying to get away.  I’m not trying to be mean or critical of the law, like I said I have a lot of respect for the police, but it breaks my heart everyday when I go down Hwy 21 and see where that young man lost his life that in my opinion could have been avoided.

you gave me an idea. I am not usually for more government but in this case I think it is justified. The govt could require all tire  manufacterers to install a device that would slowly deflate the tires when triggered by a remote carried by a policemen. Either that or just cut off the engine. I think that would sove the problem of high speed chase.

Sasiblonde,

I know where you are coming from. 

Unfortunately, the police don’t know who they are dealing with in most cases.  It could be druggies, dui, rapists, etc.  If it were my wife being held hostaged and about to be raped by some of the thugs in Anniston, then I would want the police to do whatever is necessary to  protect her.

I hope you thought of that.  Often we don’t know until after the fact that it was just a dui, but it could be a rapist or kidnapper, like the guy at Lenlock who robbed the bank and abducted the two elderly ladies and took them to Gadsden.

I too, often second guess the police, but if I were they, I would probably do the same thing.

I don’t mean to criticize you, I am just offering a different perspective.

Take care,

Ok, in my defense, I repeat myself when I say I do respect the police.  I know  they have a very dangerous job. And when I need them I am VERY THANKFUL for them.   But when a person isn’t making the right decisions for themself then someone has to be there and help them out.  It is obvious when someone drunk runs from the police they are running because they are drunk!  Why chase them at high speeds through neighborhoods and streets that could take some innocent persons life, when they are weaving in and out on the road  anyway?  They can’t handle it slow, I would definitely know they couldn’t handle it at a high rate of speed. I’ve seen lots of unmarked  cars that could follow a person probably for miles and the driver would probably not notice it.  Drunks do have to pee a lot, buy more beer alot, and visit other drunks alot.  So they would stop eventually.  Pull in behind them and you got them.    In some states they do not allow police chases for traffic violations.  They must have a way of getting their guy without a body bag.  Sadly I don’t have a solution, it is just sad that someone looses a member of their family in such a tragic ending.  I’m just saying…………

Personally, I have the most respect in the world for law enforcement.  I don’t see how they do as good a job as they do.  They are like school teachers, working under difficult and often hazardous situations.

I’m sure the officers of the law would say their work is more hazardous than school teachers, but I am just trying to point out that both professions are often thankless.

I do thank the guys in blue!

The question I have is “What was the suspect thinking?” I get tired of everyone blaming the police for high-speed chases. There is another component here that is partly responsible for these things. It is a vicious cycle – you run we chase – we chase you run.

Most departments now have updated their pursuit policies in an effort to reduce liability. The tough part is where do you draw the line? There is a difference between “pursuit” and “catch-up”. I don’t think most departments allow “catch-up” driving anymore.

Sasie, what would you suggest the police departments do to help remedy this problem?

Olesmokey

I agree that this is dangerous. But the danger needs to be weighed against the danger of letting the offender go and taking a chance on catching him later. I would hope that science can come up with an answer. They probably already have an answer but how much of our rights would we give up?

But to engage in a high speed chase just because someone is speeding a little is not a smart move.

This was a really sad week in Calhoun County.  Two deaths because of high speed police chases.    HWY 21 is an accident waiting to happen on a normal day.  You add police cars going 70 or 80 mph trying to stop someone who is going a little bit faster and the only outcome would be disaster.  Four lanes there to swerve in and out of,  AND  Glade Rd. (doing good to be wide enough for 1  car) and put a high speed chase on that road through a residential area too.  What were the police thinking?  I am sure it was more than one car chasing and I by no means don’t claim to be an expert on anything of the law, and I also respect policeman to the max.  BUT they really had a bad call on this one. Those guys could have been followed (not closely but within sight) by several different cars  until they stopped.  Just like the guy on 21 could have been.  So they were drunk, don’t you get stopped for DUI to keep you from killing someone or yourself on the road?  What happens when you chase them?  They might just have made it home alive that night DRUNK!  (and I am totally against drinking and driving)

MAYBE THEY NEED A “MOTORCICLE” LIKE BARNEY FIFE….

they do.