This is one of the first movies to feature an airbag being used in a car. General Motors automobiles sold from 1974-76 had the Air Cushion Restraint System which was a regular production option (RPO code AR3) for full size Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac vehicles (the police vehicle seen in the film was a 1974 Oldsmobile Delta 88). This system did not have shoulder harnesses but retained lap belts (the Oldsmobile Toronado of the same era also had a passenger side airbag). The footage of the airbag in use was sent to the U.S. Congress so they could pass a law (the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991) dictating that airbags should be installed in all automobiles manufactured after September 1, 1998. Allstate Insurance provided the Oldsmobile depicted in the film.
Even though the movie takes place in Texas, the film was shot entirely in southern California, which explains why palm trees and even the city of Burbank can be seen during the final chase scene.
The number of cars crashed in this picture was twenty-six.
One stuntman broke his leg after slamming his motorcycle into the back of a car.
There is a scene where Eddie Moore (Stephen McHattie) goes to the National Guard armory where he procures a scope and an M16 assault rifle and then shoots up the police vehicles and the sheriff. His character is presumably a Vietnam War veteran. This particular scene where the police headquarters is under attack appears to have been recycled into the script for First Blood (1982).