NYPD: Shoot Vehicles to Prevent Terror Attack

The New York Police Department has directed its officers to open fire on vehicles to prevent a terror attack.

Officials say the order is aimed at stopping an attack similar to the one in Nice, France last year where 86 people were killed after truck drove into a crowd, according to The New York Post.

"A 'vehicle ramming attack" is the type of extraordinary event that this clause was intended to address," the directive sent out on Monday reads. "The objectively reasonable use of deadly physical force to terminate a mass casualty terrorist event would be legally justified and within department guidelines."

The order clarifies a patrol policy that bars officers from discharging their weapons at or from a moving vehicle unless physical force is being used against someone.

The directive states that vehicle attacks on crowds have "emerged as a frequent and alarming worldwide trend. … inflicting maximum carnage. These events have generated significant media attention."