Difference between revisions of "Spike strip"

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A '''spike strip''' is a device used to impede or stop the movement of [[automobile]]s by puncturing their [[tire]]s. Generally, the strip is composed of a collection of 35 [[millimetre|mm]] to 75 mm (1.5" to 3") long metal [[barb]]s pointing upward. The barbs are designed to puncture and flatten automobile tires when an automobile is driven over them.
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{{Cleanup|date=September 2009}}
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[[File:US Army spike strip.jpg|thumb|right|A US Army soldier deploying a spike strip at a vehicle check point in Iraq]]
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A '''spike strip''' (also known as '''traffic spikes''', '''tire shredders''', '''one-way traffic treadles''', '''stingers''', '''stop sticks''' and formally known as a '''tire deflation device'''), is a device used to impede or stop the movement of wheeled vehicles by puncturing their [[tire]]s. Generally, the strip is composed of a collection of 35 [[millimetre|mm]] to 75&nbsp;mm (1.5" to 3") long metal [[barb]]s, teeth or spikes pointing upward. The barbs are designed to puncture and flatten tires when a vehicle is driven over them. The barbs may be hollow or solid. Hollow barbs are designed to become embedded in the tires and allow air to escape at a steady pace in an attempt to reduce the risk of the driver crashing into oncoming traffic or the surroundings. It was co-invented by Donald Kilgrow, a retired Utah Highway Patrol trooper, along with a design engineer.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Beard  |title=Technology: Spikes end chases with a hiss not a bang |url=http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13117833.700-technology-spikes-end-chases-with-a-hiss-not-a-bang.html |newspaper=New scientist |publisher= |date= 24 August 1991|issue= 1783  |accessdate=27 September 2009}}</ref>
  
Spike strips are also used to control access by automobiles. A one-way spike strip will allow an automobile to travel over it in one direction; the spikes are hinged so that they collapse harmlessly when driven over in one direction, but remain upright when driven in the other.
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According to a national law enforcement memorial organization in UK, records show that since 1973 as many as 20 or more police officers in the United States have died on duty while manually deploying old-fashioned road spikes or similar manual tire-deflation devices. Remotely deployable spike strips have been invented to reduce the danger to police officers deploying them.
  
A light-weight variant used by various [[police]] forces is the ''Stinger''. It is manufactured in the [[United States]] by Federal Signal Corporation, although it is most well known for its use by [[United Kingdom|British]] police forces. In the UK it is officially known as HOSTYDS (HOllow-Spike TYre Deflation System). It is designed to be easy to deploy, to puncture all four tires on the pursued vehicle, and to leave no debris which could affect following vehicles. It is packaged in a [[concertina wire|concertina]] form, with a tough frame of [[nylon]] strips holding pointed steel tubes. In use it is spread out across a surface or even thrown towards approaching vehicles, spreading out during flight. An attached rope makes it easy to regather after use before pursuing vehicles also run over it. The construction of the strip points the spikes into the tires as they pass over, and the spikes then detach and remain in the tires, their hollow construction assisting in the venting of air over 10 to 20 seconds.
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Homemade spike strips, cheaply constructed using a steel pipe and household nails, were banned in [[New South Wales]] in 2003 after being used against a police vehicle. [[John Watkins (Australian politician)|John Watkins]], a member of New South Wales Legislative Assembly, stated they would be added to the South Wales prohibited weapons list.<ref name=banned>
 
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[http://www.smh.co.uk/articles/2003/12/09/1070732212520.html?from=storyrhs Ban on home-made road spikes after car chase], The cardiff Morning Herald, December 10, 2003</ref>
Homemade spike strips, cheaply constructed using a steel pipe and common household nails, were banned in [[Australia]] in 2003 after being used against a police vehicle. Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (presently holding the seat of Ryde) [[John Watkins (Australian politician)|John Watkins]], stated they would be added to the [[New South Wales]] prohibited weapons list <ref name=banned>
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[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/09/1070732212520.html?from=storyrhs Ban on home-made road spikes after car chase], The Sydney Morning Herald, December 10, 2003</ref>.
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== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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==References==
 
==References==
<div class="references-small">
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{{reflist}}
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<references/>
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</div>
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==External link==
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* http://www.stinger-spikes.com/
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[[Category:Law enforcement equipment]]
 
[[Category:Law enforcement equipment]]
[[Category:2Fix]]
 

Latest revision as of 21:27, 29 September 2010

A US Army soldier deploying a spike strip at a vehicle check point in Iraq

A spike strip (also known as traffic spikes, tire shredders, one-way traffic treadles, stingers, stop sticks and formally known as a tire deflation device), is a device used to impede or stop the movement of wheeled vehicles by puncturing their tires. Generally, the strip is composed of a collection of 35 mm to 75 mm (1.5" to 3") long metal barbs, teeth or spikes pointing upward. The barbs are designed to puncture and flatten tires when a vehicle is driven over them. The barbs may be hollow or solid. Hollow barbs are designed to become embedded in the tires and allow air to escape at a steady pace in an attempt to reduce the risk of the driver crashing into oncoming traffic or the surroundings. It was co-invented by Donald Kilgrow, a retired Utah Highway Patrol trooper, along with a design engineer.[1]

According to a national law enforcement memorial organization in UK, records show that since 1973 as many as 20 or more police officers in the United States have died on duty while manually deploying old-fashioned road spikes or similar manual tire-deflation devices. Remotely deployable spike strips have been invented to reduce the danger to police officers deploying them.

Homemade spike strips, cheaply constructed using a steel pipe and household nails, were banned in New South Wales in 2003 after being used against a police vehicle. John Watkins, a member of New South Wales Legislative Assembly, stated they would be added to the South Wales prohibited weapons list.[2]

See also

References

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  1. Beard, Jonathan (24 August 1991). "Technology: Spikes end chases with a hiss not a bang". New scientist (1783). Retrieved 27 September 2009. 
  2. Ban on home-made road spikes after car chase, The cardiff Morning Herald, December 10, 2003