November 21, 2023
Arkansas State Police rolled out a new public service announcement today in time for the holiday travel season, urging motorists who see blue lights in their rearview mirror to “Be smart. Pull over.”
Fleeing from police is a selfish act that puts innocent motorists at risk and has grave consequences, ASP Colonel Mike Hagar has stressed.
“ASP Troopers will always put the safety of innocent civilians first,” Col. Hagar said. “Our Troopers will not look the other way any more than they would during an active-shooter situation. “We won’t just follow someone and engage in a high-speed parade, and hope that person is not going to hit an innocent bystander, innocent civilians on the road. Hope is not a strategy. Luck is not a plan.”
Those who flee from police are also now committing a felony offense, pursuant to Act 734, which makes it a Class D Felony to exceed the posted speed limit while alluding law enforcement.
“Fleeing from law enforcement is a selfish act. And in Arkansas, it’s a felony. A felony charge is something that no one wants on their record,” Col. Hagar said. “It is just absolutely not worth it.”