What to do during a traffic stop from MWSU Campus Watch on Vimeo.
Flashing lights, sirens. If you’ve ever taken a ride in a car, you’ve probably been in a scenario like this before. But what are you supposed to do when you see those familiar red lights in your rear-view mirror? Geordan Martinez a junior in radiology has family in law enforcement which he says helps him in the event of a traffic stop.
“I have a lot of family that’s in law enforcement. The most preferred thing is obviously to go somewhere safe and out of harms way for you and the officer, preferably roll down all your windows, and have your stuff ready and have your hands on the steering wheel,” Martinez said.
Police Chief Dan Williams has been an officer for and 33 years and says the office and the driver play big roles in the event of a traffic stop.
“There’s always an officers attitude and the person being pulled over’s attitude that can always come into play,” Williams said
According to traffic code 545.421 if a driver willfully fails or refuses to bring the vehicle to a stop or flees in an attempt to elude a pursuing police vehicle when flashing lights are seen or sirens are heard then an offense has been committed.
Once you realize you’re being pulled over Chief Williams recommends you pull over as soon as possible in an area that is safe for you and the officer. Then roll down your windows and turn on your dome light so the officer can see inside your car as they approach. Chief Williams then says to place your hands on the steering wheel until the officer instructs you to do otherwise.
“We’ve seen video after video of officers nearly getting hit, or being hit while they’re standing at the side of the road. So pull over as far to the right as possible. If it’s during the night time at least crack your window a little bit. Maybe again if it’s a woman by herself and she’s not comfortable at least crack the window down where she can have that conversation with the officer,” Williams said.
Chief Williams also says if you want to be extra careful you can always call dispatch to verify if an officer is indeed trying to pull you over. When it comes to traffic stops the more educated the driver is on the laws the better the outcome.
“The officer pulling you over doesn’t know who you are, and if they do it’s usually not a good thing. They’re just doing their jobs,” Martinez said.
“The more steps the officer can take as well as the driver to try and ease those tensions and those feelings it just makes for a much more pleasant stop for everyone.” Williams said.
