What Should You Do at a Traffic Stop by the Police?
When You See a Police Vehicle with Flashing Lights Behind You
No matter how good a driver you are, you will make a mistake sooner or later. You could even break the law. If observed by a police officer, chances are that the officer will pull you over.
Even if the law is complicated, most states give police officers a lot of discretion for when and who they decide to pull over. So, when you see the flashing lights of a police vehicle in your rear-view mirror, there are some things you should know and some simple steps to follow.
Start by Slowing Down and Acknowledging the Officer
Even if most are law-abiding citizens, officers know that even a seemingly routine traffic stop can pose a danger. With this in mind, you should keep calm and do everything possible to make a stressful situation less tense.
As soon as you see the police vehicle behind you, acknowledge its presence and your intent to pull over by slowing down and activating your turn signal. Under normal circumstances, an officer will only signal you to stop if you are in a safe place to move over.
But what if there’s no safe place to pull over? Turn on your flashers and slow down to indicate that you noticed the officer and understand your responsibility to pull over. The officer will usually guide with his patrol car or use his loudspeaker.
If you don’t show that you recognize the officer’s presence or fail to slow down, you may alarm the officer, and they may think you have reason to avoid stopping.
Where to Pull Over
When safe, move your vehicle to the right shoulder or as close as possible to the right curb. Never stop in the center median of a freeway or on the opposite side of a two-lane roadway. It can place you and the officer in danger of being hit by oncoming traffic.
Move entirely onto the right shoulder on a freeway, even if you are in the carpool lane.
When it is dark, you should stop in locations with more light, such as areas with street or freeway lights, near restaurants or service stations.
Don’t be alarmed if the officer, despite a well-lit area, directs a spotlight at your vehicle once you have stopped. To help with visibility, turn on your interior lights as soon as you stop to help the officer see inside your vehicle.
Now is also a good time if you still need to turn on your emergency flashers.
If you are in the middle of a phone conversation or listening to music, turn off your phone and music player. The officer needs your full attention when communicating.
Should your vehicle have tinted windows, you should roll down your windows after you have stopped and before the officer contacts you.
If you are smoking, put out your cigarette.
Once You Have Stopped
Remain inside your vehicle at all times unless otherwise directed by the officer. During a traffic stop, officers are trained to place a great deal of emphasis on their safety, but also on you and the safety of your passengers. In most situations, the safest place for you and your passengers is inside your vehicle.
Exiting your vehicle without first being directed by an officer increases the risk of being struck by a passing vehicle. It also increases the officer’s level of feeling threatened.
Place your hands in clear view, preferably on the steering wheel. Passengers should also keep their hands where an officer can see them. Front-seat passengers may keep their hands on their laps. Back-seat passengers can rest their hands on the seat in front of them.
During the traffic stop, the officer’s inability to see the hands of the driver and all occupants in the vehicle increases the officer’s level of feeling threatened. Most violent criminal acts against a law enforcement officer occur when a person has a firearm or sharp object in their hands.
Keep still as the officer approaches. Wait to start looking for your license, insurance card, or other paperwork.
Keep your safety belt fastened.
When the Officer Has Approached You
The officer will typically approach you on the driver’s side but may also appear on the other side of your vehicle. When the officer can see your hands, roll down the window if you haven’t already done so.
The officer will introduce himself and explain why he decided to pull you over.
They will then ask you for your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance card.
Explain where your paperwork is before reaching for it. Remove the safety belt if necessary. Make sure the officer can see your hands.
The officer will check your ID and all necessary papers. They may also ask you questions about your person and the vehicle. Remember, when answering questions, you don’t have to incriminate yourself.
When the Officer Starts Asking Questions
In most states, you must provide your name and address and answer questions about your trip, like where you are going.
If the officer asks if you understand why he stopped you, you don’t have to answer. The same thing applies if the officer asks if you have been drinking.
But just because you have the right to refuse to answer doesn’t mean you should always exercise that right. The officer can appreciate precise and honest answers. Just make sure you don’t lie.
In some cases, when the officer reasonably believes you have committed a crime, they may also ask you to open the trunk. If you believe it is an illegal search, you can refuse, but do it politely, not aggressively.
Always answer politely and to the best of your knowledge when you get questions. Treat the officer with respect. After all, they are just doing a job. Please don’t make it personal.
If the officer asks you about weapons, always answer truthfully. If you have a weapon in the vehicle, informing the officer upon first contact is a good idea.
When You Must Exit the Vehicle
The officer can order you to step out of your vehicle. If it is an order, you can’t refuse.
The officer may already believe he has reasonable grounds for a search and an arrest.
When this investigation starts, you should be careful when you answer any questions. Most traffic stops, however, never go this far.
Impaired Driving
Should the officer believe you have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the officer will typically arrest you before asking you to take a test. When the state issued your driver’s license, you gave consent to such tests, known as implied consent . If you refuse such tests, you will lose your driving privilege. The officer will take you to a police station, and you cannot continue driving.
The loss of a driving privilege for test refusal is an administrative penalty. This penalty is in addition to any penalties the court may give you later. Note that the exact rules for these penalties differ between states.
If you are under 21 years and have been drinking, even a small amount of alcohol put you at risk. This is because of the Zero Tolerance Law in your state.
If You Get a Ticket
If the officer decides to give you a citation, don’t argue with the officer. Swallow your pride, even if you think the officer is wrong.
I once was stopped for running a stop sign. I could have sworn there wasn’t one. But I kept quiet and did everything by the book. Afterward, I returned the same way; sure enough, the officer was correct. I missed the stop sign.
That time, I got away with a warning. Being polite and even friendly can take you a long way sometimes.
If You are Asked to Sign a Ticket
If you are issued a ticked, the officer will ask you to sign it. Do so.
It is essential to understand that signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt. A citation or ticket is only a promise to appear in court or pay a fine later. You will have your moment in court if you want to argue the citation.
Check Your Knowledge
Results
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You can do better! Right?
#1. What is the first thing you should do if a police vehicle signals you to stop?
As soon as you see the police vehicle behind you, acknowledge its presence and your intent to pull over by slowing down and activating your turn signal. Under normal circumstances, an officer will not signal you to stop unless you are in a safe place to move over.
#2. Signing a traffic ticket is an admission of guilt.
Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt – only an acknowledgment of receiving the ticket.
#3. During a traffic stop by a law enforcement officer, you should:
Always remain inside your vehicle, unless otherwise directed by the officer. Place your hands in clear view, preferably on the steering wheel. Keep still as the officer approaches. Don’t start looking for your license, insurance card, or other paperwork.
#4. If the officer starts by asking if you understand why you have been stopped, you:
If a police officer asks if you understand why you have been stopped, you don’t have to answer.
Just because you have the right to remain silent, it may not always be the best strategy to exercise that right. Just make sure you don’t lie, that can make the situation worse than it need to be.
Delaware test takers will always get questions about traffic stops on the official DMV exam.
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Read More
- Individuals rights during police traffic stops in a Supreme Court case: Brendlin v. California
- Professionalism At The Traffic Stop
