Police and Security, Vol. 34 No. 4, 2025.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.59245/ps.34.4.1
Use of a Spike Strip (Vehicle Stopping Device) – Field Experiment Under Real Conditions
Željko Mršić
; Veleučilište kriminalistike i javne sigurnosti, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Mile Klanac
; Veleučilište kriminalistike i javne sigurnosti, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Ivan Arbutina
; Veleučilište kriminalistike i javne sigurnosti, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
This paper presents an experiment involving vehicles passing over a tyre deflation device, commonly
known as a “spike strip”, in real-life conditions. The “spike strip” was run over in various ways using a
personal vehicle and a van. All relevant data was recorded from within the vehicles, the ground and the
sky with special emphasis on the possibility of vehicle destabilisation after crossing the “spike strip”.
Initially, the vehicle was tested at different speeds and under various loads, frst with all four tyres and
then with only the left wheels, in both dry and wet road conditions.
Each test drive showed the “spike strip” to be an efcient device for forcing the stop of a fleeing vehicle,
with the spikes rupturing the tyres, decompressing them, and leading to a safe stop. Not one test drive
led to even the slightest destabilisation, drifting or loss of control of the vehicle.
All participants of the experiment were interviewed, with special emphasis on the drivers and co-drivers of the vehicles who represented an exclusive experimental group who experienced going over the
“spike strip”.
This experiment and the follow-up interview collected a signifcant amount of technical data and personal stances, which can be used in further police work. The most important fnding is that using a
tyre deflation device does not pose any danger to the police ofcers deploying it, the passengers of the
targeted car, or the rest of the public. In relation to other police means of coercion, the results of the
experiment even suggest that, in terms of the possibility of injury or death of citizens, this means can be
classifed as one of the less dangerous ones. This implies the correct use in accordance with regulations
and professional standards.
Keywords
traffic safety; spike strip; forced stop; tyre decompression; vehicle destabilisation
Hrčak ID:
339503
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2025.
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