If a police officer has to use a siren to get your attention, you're probably getting a traffic ticket
If you drive long enough, you'll probably be stopped by the police. No one drives perfectly, not even police officers.
Believe me, I know. I remember the veins popping out of my field training officer’s head when I chirped a curb making a right turn downtown. He made it crystal clear that as a professional driver, I must set a proper example.
If an officer observes a traffic violation, the officer’s first responsibility is to safely catch up to the offending vehicle. This might require a U-turn or just pulling out of a driveway or side street. The officer must then contend with other traffic. The public’s safety is more important than catching one violator.
Drivers need to follow certain etiquette when pulled over by police officers.
File Photo
To catch the offending vehicle, the officer must rapidly accelerate. Many times, I was asked by friends if that's fun. The professional answer is that it is a professionally necessary means to an end. The short answer is, YES it is!
Officers usually won't immediately turn on their top lights to catch up with a violator. This is done so as not to confuse the other vehicles nearby, and thus create obstacles between the officer and his or her quarry. The top lights also aren't immediately activated because if the violator is inclined to flee, it gives that driver a tremendous head start.
Officers also will avoid turning on their top lights until they are ready to pull over the violator. That means they must be close enough to the offending vehicle to read the license plate in order to notify the communications section they are making a traffic stop. Next, the officer must locate a safe place to make the traffic stop.
A safe place is an area where the roadway is wide enough for traffic to safely negotiate around the police car, officer and offending motorist’s car. Officers must necessarily avoid making traffic stops on curves, hills, heavily congested narrow streets or anywhere else that would create a hazard. If the road is narrow and traffic-filled, the officer may direct the motorist into a nearby parking lot.
If you think you're about to be pulled over, wait for the officers to turn on their top lights and then pull to the right side of the road as soon as you can safely do so. If you're several lanes out from the far right, officers will often assist you by straddling lanes and blocking oncoming traffic so you can change lanes.
One general rule of thumb you should be aware of: If the officer has to turn the siren on to get your attention to pull over, you will be getting a ticket. Officers get rather cranky when motorists aren't paying attention.
When pulled over by the police, stay in your car unless otherwise directed by the officer. This is for your safety and the officer’s safety. It may take the officer a minute or two to approach your car. This delay is due to the officer running checks on your license plate and letting everyone on the radio know where the stop is taking place in case of trouble.
While you're waiting for the officer, start collecting your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. If you have them ready for the officer, this might mitigate their crankiness if you were the driver who had to be awakened by the siren.
Next week, we’ll discuss some of the finer points of traffic stop etiquette. If you have any questions or areas you want me to touch on, let me know in the comments and I'll try to address them.
Until then, lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware (especially if there are top lights in your rearview mirror) and watch out for your neighbors.
Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Drew
Mon, Jul 5, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
i just love how everyone seems to be an expert on issues that relate to jobs and careers they are not in. example: "Plubius" talks about quotas. really? not only are quotas illegal, but the money goes to the courts....not the police stations. also, thanks to attorneys and video cameras, a cop who runs a red light better have a good reason. But i'm sure that cop would rather get to the donut shop and jepordize his career than put food on this family's table. it's called "standing"...and you dont have it.
Rasputin
Fri, Jul 2, 2010 : 7:21 a.m.
I agree with Scott Hadley, most occifers just want to get the process done. Why even bother challenging them with questions? Just take the ticket and go. My favorite incident was being pulled over a few years ago because the occifer assumed I must have been drunk; I was giving some tourists a tour of Ann Arbor. After a 15 minute of testing me and giving me a Breathalyzer they gave up and let me go.
Rich Kinsey
Fri, Jul 2, 2010 : 12:58 a.m.
For those of you who would rather put your hands on the steering wheel palms up when you are stopped. That is fine, and you are always right. For those motorists who have their paperwork together, the officer is watching and can tell someone leaning to retrieve their walet and then reaching for other paperwork in the visor or glove box. Officers get very wary if you are reaching on the floor, reaching over the seat or reaching around in the door pockets. Body language can provide clues to a motorists intentions for the shrewd officer. For goblue18- that is an excellent plan for what you should do if you are in doubt that the vehicle trying to pull you over is legitimate. When in doubt call 911. If you find several cars with toplights and sirens following you after a while you can also assume it is the real police with real radios. For Tru2Blu76 thank you for the comment on Concealed Pistol License holders. It is the law that they announce that they have a CPL, whether or not they are carrying a firearm at the time of the stop and where the firearm is located in the vehicle. Thank you for your comments. I just wrote next week's piece and it should answer most of the other questions.
5c0++ H4d13y
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 7:32 p.m.
@CEC0128 you had your rights violated unless you consented to the search. Never consent to a search.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 6:27 p.m.
"What about the documented reports of cops flashing their lights and running through red lights to get to donut shops?" That's insane and has NEVER happened in Ann Arbor. Now...getting the the Airport on times IS another matter.
Paul Taylor
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 5:43 p.m.
Reposting with the offensive verbiage reworded: About ten years ago a State trooper damn near t-boned me at Pontiac Trail and Six Mile. I was on Pontiac Trail, headed to A2 (with the right-of-way--Six Mile has a stop sign). Just as I was passing into the intersection area, he pulled out, causing me to swerve to avoid a collision. No lights. No siren. I pulled over and got out to see if he had stopped, but he had taken off down the dirt stretch of Six Mile. An Ameritech guy working on a telecom box at the corner said "He almost hit you," and that kind of tripped my trigger. I jumped back in the car and chased the KINDLY OFFICER ("masked swearing" removed here, in deference to annarbor.com guidelines) down Six Mile, up Dixboro, and onto Seven Mile. Once he pulled off and stopped (and after I stopped, too), I realized there was no way to win in that situation (having just CHASED a STATE TROOPER at speeds in excess of 50mph down dirt roads LOL), and I jotted his license in my dashboard dust, and continued to my second, part-time job in A2. I went as far as to write a Sternly-Worded Letter to the State Police ombudsman, but never sent it because, I realized, it amounted to a confession of breaking many traffic laws. No way to win. I must confess, while I'd always been respectful of the police, the incident really compromised that respect going into the future. To this day, I am leery of them and suspicious of their motives.
Plubius
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 4:22 p.m.
"The publics safety is more important than catching one violator." I wonder on what planet Rich lives? Certainly not the Earth. I have seen as much recklessness exhibited by police officers striving to make their quotas as I have other drivers (and other drivers outnumber police by what 1000:1?). What about the documented reports of cops flashing their lights and running through red lights to get to donut shops? What about the people killed each year, by cops, during chases? This type of self-serving nonsense should never see the light of day. It only makes the author look stupid and makes the rest of us wonder what more they are trying to deny.
clara
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 3:49 p.m.
From the Michigan State Police: To Ensure Safety During Police Encounters If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer you should: * Keep your hands where an officer can see them. * Cooperate fully with the police officer. * If you have a gun with you, tell the police officer as soon as possible. * Do not make any quick movements, especially toward the weapon. * If in a vehicle at night, turn on your vehicle's dome light.
goblue18
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.
Rod J. - It has happened to me. My route home from work when it occurred was an empty road in the middle of the night (which was when my shift ended). Warren - I have been told to do the following (and please, Rich, correct me if this is wrong): - Turn on your hazard lights to indicate you have seen the officer's warning. - If you are truly in an isolated area, call 911, explain that you are being followed by a police car and give them your location. They should be able to confirm for you (via dispatch) if it is actually a police officer following you, as they will have already called in the stop (or will be in the process of doing so). - Once you have confirmation that it is truly an officer behind you, let the 911 operator know you are attempting to locate a "safe" area to pull over and ask that they relay this information to the officer following you, then look for the nearest parking lot/wide shoulder/etc to stop (since you now know the car is a legit police car). Any officer should understand your wariness to pull over in a dark isolated area, especially if they've been made aware that you are looking for a safe place to pull off the road for them.
Rod Johnson
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
Warren--how likely is that, really?
Warren
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 11:08 a.m.
I would like to know how to react when I am "pulled over" on a dark, lonely road, by a car with blinking lights. The lights are so blinding that I can't identify the car, or it's occupant, unless I stop. Then it may be to late to find out that it is not a Police stop. Yes, I may feel guilty of a violation. I may have a tail light out, or going a little over the speed limit, and believe I should stop. How can I do that safely without getting a real officer upset?
Rake2204
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.
@CEC0128 I'm with you there. I've always operated under the same assumption of not doing anything (and keeping my hands on the wheel) until asked to do so by the officer. I'm always afraid that if they see me reach under my seat for my license or in my glove box for my registration they may think I'm reaching for a hand cannon.
amazonwarrior
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 10:53 a.m.
I believe people in law enforcement should be responsible for setting a good example, and with that in mind, I'd like to have a dollar for every time I have seen a police officer in Washtenaw County who doesn't use his turn signal when making a turn or changing lanes, the way the rest of us are suppose to. I'd have a very large pile of money now!
CEC0128
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.
10 years ago my boyfriend was pulled over for turning right on red without stopping completely first. I was in the passenger seat and started looking through the glove box for registration and insurance paperwork. The police officers came to the car and asked us both to get out and frisked us as well as searched the car. They told us it was because I was "rummaging" through the glove box when we were pulled over...suspicious behavior apparently. For the record neither myself nor my boyfriend are minorities, but we were young - 20 yrs old or so. Since that experience I've been pulled over twice (in the last 10 years or so) and I've not moved until the cop came to my window and could see exactly what I was doing with my hands.
interested
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.
@ peregrine - If a police officer has to turn on their sirens, it's a good indication that the driver in question is not paying any attention to what is going on around them (i.e. looking at their mirrors). An officer has every right to be cranky in this instance. Not only has the driver violated a motor vehicle law, which is the reason they are getting pulled over, but they are not even paying attention to what is around them, which is neglectful driving. I am certainly not an innocent driver - I've had my fair share of tickets and in every instance knew I was being pursued by an officer - without the use of a siren!
saliniac
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 10:01 a.m.
Then, of course, there's the Saline police, who have seemingly never made a traffic stop WITH OUT a siren, LOL. Even late at night on an empty road.
Ignatz
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 10 a.m.
I wish more officers would set an example as professional drivers by not talking on the cell phone and driving.
5c0++ H4d13y
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 9:58 a.m.
I generally think it's best not to answer any questions. Just take the ticket and go on your way.
saliniac
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
Another great story, Rich.
Chrissy
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
I think the ACLU are the experts regarding what to do in a traffic stop especially if you're driving while being or looking like a minority: http://www.aclu.org/files/assets/bustcard_eng_20100630.pdf I was always told to wait with my hands on the steering wheel. I also request that all passengers make their hands visible. I also tell the officer what I'm doing as I reach into my purse for my license and my glove box for documentation. I followed that advice the two times I've been stopped and made it out OK. Better safe than sorry.
Jim Kress
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 9:56 a.m.
Siren, lights, etc are irrelevant. Cops view tickets purely as sources of revenue for their local units of government. So, they will stop you under any pretext they can imagine, especially towards the end of the month when they are pushing to meet (or exceed) their assigned ticket quota.
Rod Johnson
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 9:53 a.m.
"chirped"?
treetowncartel
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 9:35 a.m.
Just make sure you don't call them Occifer.
Peregrine
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
I'm troubled by a few things. First, the officer's "crankiness" should not be a factor. I understand that police officers are people and subject to human biases, but they are also professionals who have a duty to be fair. Also ironyinthesky2 suggests that we show respect and refer to the officer as "sir" or "ma'am". That sounds deferential to me, and acting submissively should not be a requirement. I rarely refer to people as "sir" or "ma'am", even people who've earned my highest levels of respect. Treat police officers doing their job decently as you should treat all people decently; and they should treat you decently.
Wolverine3660
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Yes, Ihad the same question as Indicat too. Especially given how many cops are being shot and killed by criminals who have been stopped for minor traffic violatoins. Case in point- the Tampa, FL PD lost 2 officers who were shot and killed by the passenger of a car they had stopped early wednesday morning. A officer had pulled thecar over, realised thatthe passenger was wanted for a warrant, called for backup. When both officers approached thecar, the passenger shot and killed both officers,and the perps escaped.
ironyinthesky2
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 7:17 a.m.
What's to discuss next week? "Yes, sir/M'am,", show respect, answer questions honestly and provide whatever documents are asked for. I agree with Indicat, if you're fussing around looking for registration, etc. before the officer asks it could look very suspicious, depending on the circumstances.
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 6:51 a.m.
ditto what Indicat asked.
Indicat
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 6:13 a.m.
I thought you were supposed to keep both hands on the steering wheel until the officer asks for license, registration, etc. Doesn't an officer get nervous if they see an individual moving around in the vehicle? How do they know that the person is gathering documentation? From the officer's prospective, the individual could be hiding something illegal, or retrieving a weapon.
jcoffey
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 5:47 a.m.
A very interesting report. Can't wait for the next episode!