Traffic Paper

The most common job a police officer does is making traffic stops. It is during these stops that an officer is very vulnerable. They are walking into the unknown when approaching a vehicle. Pulling someone over for the smallest reasons such as a broken tail light or improper display of a license plate can turn deadly in a heart beat. It does not take much to get someone to want to fight with the officer. According to an article I found, "Many officers are killed each year and thousands more are injured in traffic related incidences. For example, in 1999, over half of all officer, line-of-duty deaths were related to traffic incidences. In addition, when the use of weapons at the traffic stop are added, the percentage of traffic related deaths is over 55 percent. Every stop for a traffic violation has the potential for danger." Most of the time this happens when pulling over someone who has been to jail already before and does not want to go back. If the person has drugs on them or in their car chances are if they see an opportunity to run from the police they will do just that. Police officers always have to be on the guard and paying close attention to everything that is said and every move the person makes. One mistake can cost an officer his or her life.

The forth amendment plays a major role when pulling people over. According to an article I found, "The fourth amendment to the U.S. Constitution limits the powers of the police to perform searches and seizures, requiring that any such search or seizure performed are reasonable. Generally, satisfaction of this reasonableness requirement necessitates that police officers obtain prior judicial approval in the form of an arrest or search warrant before a search or seizure is performed." So as you can see a police officer cannot just pull someone over because they do not like them. They must have a reason. And they cannot search a vehicle unless they have a reason to do so.

People can be pulled over for a number of reasons. An officer must first have probable cause for pulling someone over. The most common reason for being pulled over is speeding. Almost everyone who drives is guilty of speeding most of the time they are in a car driving. I personally do not know anyone who does not speed while driving. It is up to the officers' discretion on how far past the speed limit he allows you to go before pulling you over. The most common thing I have always heard is that all officers will give you five miles per hour over the speed limit before they pull you over. This is not always true. If it is late at night and you are in an area known for drunk drivers and you are going five miles per hour over the speed limit you will most likely be pulled over. Now whether or not you get a ticket beyond that is up to the officer. Chances are if you were not drinking the officer will not give you a speeding ticket.

Another common reason for being pulled over is due to swerving. If you are driving down the road and you keep crossing the center line or the line to the right of the car then chances are you will be pulled over. Officers pull you over for this because it gives them reason to think that you may have been drinking and driving. Usually people swerve when they are drinking and driving or not paying attention or just tired. Swerving in and out of traffic causes many accidents every year. So when an officer sees someone swerving they want to get it stopped before someone gets hurt or killed.

Some other reasons for being pulled over are not having your head lights on, failure to signal when making a turn, improper display of license plate, no license plate, expired tags on license plate, no tail lights or brake lights, or if your vehicle matches the description of another vehicle that has been stolen or was just seen in a criminal activity.

When being pulled over there are some steps you can do to make it go as quickly as possible and as safe as possible for both you and the officer. According to an article I found, "When a police officer signals you to pull over:

Ð'* Pull over as far to the right as safely possible. This allows the officer to more safely walk to your car.

Ð'* Turn off the ignition.

Ð'* Turn on the interior light if the stop occurs at night.

Ð'* Place your hands on the steering wheel until the officer can make a safety evaluation as he/she approaches your car.

Ð'* Avoid making any sudden or reaching movements.

Ð'* Please stay in your vehicle unless asked by the officer to get out of your car.

Ð'* If you are carrying a weapon advise the officer of the weapon and its location.

Ð'* Always follow the officer's instructions.

If you follow these guide lines your time being pulled over will go smooth.

When being pulled over the officer will ask you