A (also known as a road spike or "stinger") is a law enforcement tool designed to safely disable a fleeing vehicle during a high-speed pursuit. It consists of a long, thin strip of hollow, stainless steel spikes that, when driven over, puncture and deflate tires in a controlled manner to bring the vehicle to a stop. Key Features and Deployment
: Deploying a strip requires the officer to be near the path of travel, which carries significant risk if the suspect attempts to swerve or if following patrol cars cannot stop in time.
: Unlike a blowout, which can cause a driver to lose control, the hollow spikes stay in the tire to allow for a gradual release of air.
: Spike strips are frequently featured in law enforcement simulation mods, such as Spike-Strips-V for Grand Theft Auto V , which allows players to deploy and configure them within a virtual environment.
: Skilled drivers may attempt to "dodge" the strips, requiring precise coordination and communication over police radio. Digital and Legal Contexts