PIT Maneuver: Precision Immobilization Technique

The Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) is used by law enforcement and silent professionals to immobilize and halt fleeing vehicles during high-speed pursuits. Developed in Germany and later adopted by police departments then intelligence and military agencies around the world, the PIT maneuver is highly effective in ending vehicle pursuits swiftly and safely when employed properly.

Momentum without control is a liability, the PIT maneuver is how you turn that liability into an advantage.

Also known as tactical vehicle intervention (TVI), the PIT maneuver is a pursuit tactic by which a pursuing car can force a fleeing car to abruptly turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop. This involves the pursuing vehicle making contact with the fleeing vehicle’s rear quarter (taillight).

By maintaining this contact while simultaneously performing a quick turn, the officer / pursuing driver can make the fleeing vehicle spin out and come to a stop – while minimizing collateral damage and risk to bodily harm.

        VEHICULAR PRECISION IMMOBILIZATION TECHNIQUE

High-speed chases pose a significant danger to officers, professionals, suspects, and innocent bystanders. The PIT maneuver serves as an effective technique to end these pursuits quickly, mitigating the potential risk. It’s typically used when other non-contact methods to stop the fleeing vehicle, such as tire deflation devices or communication attempts, have failed.

It’s important to note that the use of the PIT maneuver is typically reserved for situations where the fleeing suspect presents a significant immediate threat to public safety, given the inherent risks involved in physically contacting the fleeing vehicle. This is for the safety of the officer or operator in the pursuing vehicle as much as the potential harm to bystanders.

        EXECUTING THE PIT MANEUVER

The implementation of the PIT maneuver is highly calculated, requiring precise timing and control – despite the relatively simple physics of its process. The following steps outline the typical execution of a PIT maneuver:

Step 1)     Positioning

The pursuing driver positions their patrol vehicle parallel to the rear side of the fleeing vehicle, matching its speed. The pursuing driver’s front bumper is aligned with the rear wheel of the suspect’s vehicle.

Step 2)     Contact

The pursuing driver carefully matches the speed of the suspect vehicle and gently nudges the rear quarter panel of the suspect’s car using their front bumper. This contact should be made with care to avoid causing an accident.

Step 3)     Turning

Simultaneously, the pursuing driver steers sharply into the fleeing vehicle, causing it to spin out and come to a stop. It’s essential for the pursuing driver to back off immediately after the contact to prevent a collision after the fleeing vehicle loses control.

Step 4)     Stopping

Once the fleeing vehicle is disabled, the pursuing driver then quickly brings their vehicle to a halt, ideally positioning it in a manner that prevents the suspect vehicle from fleeing again.

        IDENTIFYING A PIT MANEUVER

Identifying an impending PIT maneuver is challenging due to its quick execution, but certain signs may indicate it’s about to be executed against you:

Close Pursuit

The pursuing vehicle maintains a continuously close distance and appears to be aligning with your vehicle’s rear quarter, indicating a potential setup for the PIT maneuver.

Reduced Speed

While the PIT maneuver can technically be performed at various speeds, it’s safer and more controlled at lower speeds. Therefore, if you notice your vehicle and pursuing vehicle reducing speed while maintaining close proximity, this could suggest a PIT maneuver is imminent.

Backup Units

The PIT maneuver may require a coordinated effort and often necessitates the presence of additional pursuing units to assist once the suspect vehicle is stopped. Therefore, multiple pursuing vehicles participating in the pursuit might signal an impending PIT maneuver.

        PIT MANEUVER COUNTERMEASURES

If a PIT maneuver or a similar tactic is attempted against you and your vehicle, several potential counter/defensive measures might be employed, although the specifics would depend on the exact situation and your judgment.

Maintain Control

Speed Leveling

Strategic Turning

Obstacle Utilization

Maneuverability

Reinforcements

        SCENARIO EXAMPLE

The black SUV roared through the dimly lit streets of Istanbul, weaving recklessly between late-night traffic as the operative kept his sedan locked onto its tail. His target, an arms dealer with intel on a pending terrorist attack, bolted, knowing capture meant disappearing into a black site for good.

The operative’s orders were clear – bring him in, dead or alive wasn’t the preference, but time was running out. The target’s vehicle had speed, but the operative had training. The moment they hit an open stretch along the Bosphorus, he seized the opportunity.

With a calculated flick of the wheel, he accelerated, closing the gap before angling his front bumper into the SUV’s rear quarter panel. A sudden jolt shuddered through his frame as metal kissed metal. For a split second, it was a battle of momentum and physics – then the laws of motion took over. The SUV’s rear spun violently, its tires shrieking as it fish-hooked across the road.

The suspect overcorrected, but it was too late. The vehicle skidded sideways, hopping the curb before slamming into a concrete barrier with a crunch of steel and shattering glass. The operative was out of his car before the dust settled, weapon drawn, closing in on the driver’s side.

The man inside groaned, dazed but alive. That was the beauty of a well-executed PIT maneuver, it ended the chase without ending the target. Sirens echoed in the distance, but the operative was already moving, disappearing into the night with his prize.

The PIT maneuver is an important tool in the arsenal of modern law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It allows professionals to stop high-speed pursuits more swiftly and safely than would otherwise be possible.

Though the maneuver may seem aggressive, it’s a calculated technique designed to mitigate the inherent risks of high-speed chases.

//   The PIT maneuver isn’t about brute force, it’s about turning the enemy’s speed into their downfall.