Car chases in the movies are exciting and cool, but in real life, getting stuck in the middle of one is dangerous, and nerve wracking. What is the protocol for civilians who are suddenly in the middle of a car chase? This is not something driving school or the DMV teaches people. Do you move to the side of the road because you hear sirens coming your way? Will you have time? Will you have the room to do so?
If a driver has the time and room to move over to the side of the road to let the car chase pass, then they should do so. This does not happen often though, so in all other instances, the driver should continue driving in their lane at the same speed they are going. The police will maneuver around the driver. A driver should never make a lane change if the car chase is too close. They do not accurately know how fast the police cars are coming up behind them, and the police cannot predict the driver’s decision to change lanes. It is much easier for the police if drivers continue driving as they were.
As much as a driver may want to, they should never try and intervene in a car chase to be the hero who helped catch the suspect. It is a dangerous situation because not only are there fast moving vehicles, but they also do not know the type of person or persons inside the vehicle. They may be armed with weapons or drunk. You can get yourself and others injured.
