this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2025
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Crazy Fucking Videos

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[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 58 points 5 days ago (4 children)

Amazing piece of kit those, and a lot safer than a Pit maneuver or spike strips.

[–] wetbeardhairs@lemmy.dbzer0.com 56 points 5 days ago (2 children)

I'm sure they'll figure out how to use it to kill a disproportionate amount of brown people. Just give them time.

[–] coaxil@lemmy.zip 7 points 5 days ago
[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 7 points 5 days ago

In before it gets used to drag people.

[–] ShoeThrower@lemmy.zip 25 points 5 days ago (2 children)

You know what is even safer?

Not engaging in a high speed chase.

[–] TriflingToad@sh.itjust.works 6 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

when possible yeah, getting the license plate is a good idea.
but there are times where it's better to engage in a chase, and this is better than a pit

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago

Better times such as if they're running on a lawn mower.

[–] blady_blah@lemmy.world 0 points 5 days ago (4 children)

They stole a car. I'd rather see him arrested.

[–] ShoeThrower@lemmy.zip 24 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (2 children)

Cameras are everywhere and most modern vehicles track and upload their position at all times. They could also simply follow behind in an unmarked car with lights off until the driver stops and arrest them there.

Chases are usually unnecessary because we exist in a surveillance state.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

All of my family's vehicles are 10+ years old, if not 20+.

[–] ShoeThrower@lemmy.zip 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Famously, car thieves were never caught before mass surveillance was rolled out.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 days ago

They very rarely were though, people used to steal cars for shits and giggles in the UK.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works -1 points 5 days ago (2 children)

That's not a modern vehicle being chased though.

Besides, the US isn't a surveillance state, it's just too spread out for that.

[–] burntbacon@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 3 days ago

So, once upon a time, I got a peek behind the scenes of the automatic readers for license plates. Unless you're living in a very rural area, and I'm talking all you see around you is crop fields or trailer parks and dollar generals, you've probably passed a few of them. That was about 6 years ago, so I would bet there are even more of them out on the roadways now.

You could probably get to bubba's house and hide, but they'll know the general area you're in, down to a twenty mile radius or so .

[–] Cataphract@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago

Oh my poor sweet summer child, any town over 2k pop and every highway already has cameras whether you notice or not. You're not getting in or around anything of use if you're avoiding those. I'm in a town with less than 6k in a rural area, can't go to the gas station without passing 3.

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 13 points 5 days ago (1 children)

We've built a surveillance state. Presumably that technology can be used to figure out who did this and catch them, without the danger. If not, why the fuck does it exist at all?

Also, now the car is totalled so I don't know what good that does for the person who owned it...

[–] pfwood178@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 days ago

A recovered theft vehicle gets basically the same branded title as a totally wrecked vehicle in the States.
Even if this ended differently, the car would be impounded for at least a few days while the police search for drugs, weapons, other stolen items and conduct their investigation as to where/how it was stolen, where the thief drove it, what they did at those locations, etc. So the owner is still without a vehicle for a week, and when they do get it back it's worth significantly less with the newly branded title.

[–] IAmNorRealTakeYourMeds@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

not saying that they shouldn't get arrested. but they can be safely followed until they run out of gas, no need to make Hollywood scenes on public roads which will make cops feel manly at the risk of passerby safety

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

You can do a lot of dumb shit on a tank of gas, and put a lot of lives at risk.

There's not really any such thing as "safely following" someone running from the police.

[–] ShoeThrower@lemmy.zip 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The high speed chase only starts when the lights come on. An unmarked car could easily follow at normal speeds.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Do you know how easy an unmarked police car is to spot though?

Also, you only find out if the vehicle is going to run once you put the lights on. What's the plan, just follow everyone home you want to give a ticket to?

[–] ShoeThrower@lemmy.zip 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Depends on the charge obviously. For a stolen vehicle, as is the case in the OP, why not? It's not like cops are productive with their time anyways. They sit on the side of the road doing nothing for hours at a time.

If the vehicle is not suspected to be stolen and a stop is attempted but the suspect flees, they can easily arrest them later at their house or workplace. The license plate gives possible suspects, then phone location data is subpoenaed to prove who was driving at the time.

No need to chase.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

they can easily arrest them later at their house or workplace.

After they've disposed of the evidence of whatever dodgy shit they were doing that caused them to run.

[–] DancingBear@midwest.social 3 points 5 days ago

That’s not a car anymore

[–] justOnePersistentKbinPlease@fedia.io 14 points 5 days ago (3 children)

You know an even safer one?

Track them via existing cameras and from the air. Then you dont need to chase them.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, the existing cameras on US back roads, and a helicopter that costs a few grand an hour to run.

Great idea.

[–] magiccupcake@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Drones are pretty cheap these days cost way less to run

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago

Also way less range and a lower top speed.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Also a nightmare to fly in the vicinity of other air traffic, so no use in a big city.

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 9 points 5 days ago (1 children)

You know what's also a nightmare in a big city? A fucking high speed chase. Small problems (that don't apply in this situation anyway) do not negate potential solutions. No solution is perfect. Obviously it doesn't work in a fucking city. No one claimed it would. Stop making up issues that aren't being discussed.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Good thing the used their doodad to bring this to a stop quickly then, before it could develop into something dangerous.

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip 0 points 5 days ago (1 children)

They developed it into something dangerous. The driver was probably driving reasonably safely (there is no perfectly safe way to drive) before the cops showed up.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works -4 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip -5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I'm glad you think so! I would feel ashamed if you agreed with me that police shouldn't put others in unnecessary danger. I'm sure it's hard for you to think something like that with how rotten your brain has become from the boot polish.

Edit: hold up. I just looked and you're both the person that said drones don't work in a city, so we can't use that, and cameras aren't om back roads, so we can't use that. First, this situation is neither. Second, they perfectly cover each other in your arguments. I know, you weren't making arguments to be logically consistent; only to win am argument. I still want to point it out though. You're ridiculous. At least put some effort in!

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Don't forget having a multimillion dollar helicopter on standby within a short flight of anywhere, that's also a great idea considering the size of the USA.

Also, drones can't typically be flown when other air traffic is nearby, which doesn't just happen in the city. Light aircraft are everywhere.

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip -4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Police can take control of an airspace when needed, and there are very few places where having a drone is an issue. You just need the right licensing for it. Yeah, a regular untrained civilian can't fly a drone where other aircraft are, but someone with the proper qualifications and licensing with the FAA can.

(My brother worked for a drone company that did inspections of structures, many in places like Las Vegas or other large cities. Yes, you can fly drones in a large city with the proper qualifications.)

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I'm not sure what the rules are where you live, but where I am, the police helicopters have to obtain clearance from air traffic control, and they sometimes get turned down. You absolutely could not fly a drone in a way that would be useful for monitoring a pursuit. Drones need to be flown within visual range, and less than 500ft AGL.

No, they can't just "take control of an airspace".

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip -2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Getting clearance from ATF is taking control. Yes, sometimes it can't be cleared. There's always times where any solution doesn't work. Again, small exceptions do not negate good solutions.

You absolutely could not fly a drone in a way that would be useful for monitoring a pursuit. Drones need to be flown within visual range, and less than 500ft AGL.

It depends on the drone (rather, it depends on the camera in the drone). There are a huge variety. Many are perfectly capable of tracking a car well above this altitude. If you think "drone" means cheap Walmart quad copter then you don't know what you're talking about.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Getting clearance from ATF is taking control.

This reminds me of the "I can do whatever I like, as long as my wife lets me" joke. If you're following instructions from ATC, it's their airspace, and you're just using it.

Also, you don't seem to have understood what I'm saying. The drone may be capable of flying higher, in fact they almost certainly are, but you're not allowed to.

[–] Cethin@lemmy.zip -1 points 4 days ago

but you're not allowed to.

Us? Yeah, no shit. Them? Yes, they would. Given the pilot is qualified and cleared with the FAA, and coordinates with ATC. Hell, they already do this. Have you ever seen the signs on the highway that say your speed may be monitored by drones? This isn't even new technology.

[–] TriflingToad@sh.itjust.works 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

if there's a helicopter following someone they're still gonna run. I don't see how your idea is any better than what already happens.

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I've seen cases where someone has given up once the whirlybird comes out, but those are rare.

But apparently bringing the chase to a stop quickly and cleanly is worse than a long, drawn out pursuit involving helicopters and multiple vehicles. Because police bad.

Once you have the licence plate and/or a shot of the perps, the high speed chase is just a bystander risk.

The RCMP stopped doing them decades ago and hasn't had any issues.

[–] absentbird@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Instead of launching a tether they could just stick a tracker to the car and follow them at a leisurely pace.

[–] Patches@ttrpg.network 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Not if they ditch the car. As they would. The license plate is already going to be too hot to drive around.

[–] Kekzkrieger@feddit.org 1 points 4 days ago (2 children)

You know whats safest what normal civilized countries do? They dont high speed chase other cars endagering everyone around but just note down the licsense plates. You have the name of the person and at some point they gonna turn home.

[–] TheSporkBomber@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago

The car in the video is stolen. Whose home do you think the police are going to end up at if they just follow the license plate registration?

[–] Ilovethebomb@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Really? Which country is this?

And what's the plan if they don't own the car they're driving?

[–] BananaIsABerry@lemmy.zip 3 points 4 days ago

Assuming Livonia is Livonia, Michigan, the USA.