The hazards of pursuing wrong-way drivers

If you're an officer or deputy, how do you collar wrong-way drivers given the danger of pursuing them into traffic?

Not easily.

"It's a tough situation to deal with," said Nassau County Police Det. Lt. Kevin Smith, who rejected the option of roadblocks as more suited to movies than the real world. "It's just very difficult."

Nassau police are not allowed to pursue wrong-way drivers on highways if it means they themselves must travel against traffic. The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office and Suffolk Police Department allow that, but only after a supervisor has given permission.

That leaves law enforcement on Long Island with some basic options. Officers can track the offending wrong-way driver by moving with traffic in the correct direction. Highway entrances can be blocked or traffic halted to clear the road ahead of the offending driver.

In some cases, spike strips or "stop sticks" that deflate tires can be safely deployed. Units also can station themselves on the road with lights and sirens in the hope of getting the attention of the wrong-way driver, who often is inebriated.

Suffolk Sheriff's Office Chief Michael Sharkey said each case is unique, with some tactics better suited to given conditions than others. For instance, he said, actually following a wrong-way driver may be more sensible on highways with extensive shoulder area.

"Ultimately, if you don't stop that wrong-way-driver, someone is going to be killed or seriously hurt," Sharkey said. "And you have to take that into account when you are making your decisions."