The report, released by the Australian Institute of Criminology on Monday, explores the controversial issue of police pursuits resulting in death.

The territory only recorded four fatal pursuits between 2000 and 2011, equal lowest in the country with Tasmania.

The average speed in the ACT's fatal police pursuits was 146.8km/h, above the next fastest of 139.6km/h in Western Australia, and the average duration was four minutes and 15 seconds. The fastest top speed reached in Canberra's fatal police chases was 180km/h.

Nationally, the report found that young men under the age of 25 were most likely to be involved in fatal pursuits and that alcohol, drugs or both were consumed in almost nine out of 10 cases.

Australia has had 218 deaths in 185 crashes connected with police pursuits in the 11 years. Eighty-two of those deaths involved innocent members of the public.

The three main offences committed before the fatal pursuits were traffic-related crimes, at 38 per cent, car theft, at 31 per cent, and drink-driving, at 19 per cent.

Report co-author Mathew Lyneham said those figures should start a debate on whether restrictions should be placed on chasing offenders for less serious crimes.

No such restrictions exist in the ACT, despite appeals by the ACT Greens in the past.

Mr Lyneham said the number of pursuits in the territory fell by more than 40 per cent in the past five years, partly prompted by a triple fatality on Canberra Avenue in March 2010.

''I think that precipitated quite an extensive review in the ACT,'' he said. ''We've seen officers receive training around pursuit management and identifying the risks and also the inspectors who give approval to pursuits have gone through an extensive training course.

''We're seeing the benefits of those education and training packages.''