Why Do Officers Conduct Traffic Stops?

So you speed sometimes and gingerly run an occasional stop sign. No problem,
until a stop-sign runner goes down your street or a driver speeds through a school
zone where your kids wait for the bus.

Officers keep this kind of activity in check. They enforce the laws for the
safety of everyone; in cars, on bikes, and on foot. No one likes to get a ticket,
but if a ticket deters us from doing things that put the community's safety at risk,
we all benefit.

In addition to reducing injuries and deaths on our roadways, officers save us money.
For example, an uninsured driver not wearing a seat belt speeds down the road, loses
control and hits a guardrail. Who pays for rescue and emergency services? Who pays
for his hospital stay and physical therapy? Who pays for the guardrail repair?
It is not the careless driver, but your local government, which is generously funded
by you, the taxpayer. Costs are controlled every time patrol officers enforce the laws.
This is another reason why officers encourage us to do things - like wearing our seat belts,
using child safety seats for our little ones, and not operating under the influence.
Visible traffic enforcement also steers away the bad element, reducing burglary, and vandalism.
Who would have guessed that traffic enforcement would be such a great way to fight crime?

Traffic Stops Are Dangerous

Many officers are killed each year and thousands more are injured in traffic related incidences.
For example, in 1998, about half of all officer, line of duty deaths were related to traffic incidences.
This is because even the most routine stop for a traffic violation has the potential for danger.

Routine traffic stops often turn out to be not so routine.
Officers find uninsured drivers, suspended licenses, impaired drivers, illegal firearms,
drugs and fugitives. Discoveries like these are all in a day's work for many officers.
This is why officers are trained to place a great deal of emphasis on their safety and take
a defensive posture at the stop until the risk of confrontation or injury is diminished.

What Can You Do?

Whether you are stopped by a local police officer, a county sheriff's deputy, or a state trooper,
you can help to create a more professional atmosphere at the stop by cooperating.

Here are a few things to remember:

• Carry proper identification: a valid driver's license,
vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

• When being signaled by an officer to stop, pull over
and position your vehicle as far out of the lane of traffic as possible.
Generally, pull off to the right side of the roadway where the shoulder
is wider, unless otherwise directed.

• Never attempt to outrun the patrol vehicle or pretend
not to see the lights or hear the siren. Stay in your vehicle unless
told otherwise. Exit the vehicle slowly if asked to do so.

• Remain calm. If there are passengers, also ask them
to remain quiet and cooperate with instructions.
Do not let anyone make statements or threatening motions to the officers.

• It is recommended that you keep your hands in a visible location,
such as the steering wheel, while the officer approaches.
If it is night time, please turn on your interior light.

• Finally, don't start rummaging through your back pocket
for your wallet and license, or in your glove compartment
for your registration, until the officer asks you for them.
For all he knows, you could be reaching for a gun.

Webmaster:
Patrolman
Douglas Maifeld

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Rumford Police
Department