Seeing flashing police lights behind you can be an unsettling experience. Your heart may start beating faster, you may wonder what you did wrong, or you may simply feel nervous about being pulled over. But there is one thing every driver needs to remember. When a police officer signals you to pull over, do not take off. Slow down, pull over safely and stay there. It may sound obvious, but in a stressful moment, people can make dangerous decisions. Trying to evade a police officer can turn an ordinary traffic stop into a situation that puts you, the officer and everyone else on the road at risk.
See the Lights? Take a Breath.
If you notice flashing emergency lights behind you, don’t panic. If you are on a busy highway, bridge, narrow road or another location where stopping immediately would create a danger, continue carefully until you can find a safer place to stop. Do not speed away simply because you are looking for a better location. The safest response is to:
- Check your surroundings.
- Signal your intention to pull over.
- Slow down gradually.
- Move to a safe location as soon as reasonably possible.
- Stop and remain stopped.
- Follow the officer’s instructions.
Don’t Try to Outrun the Police
There is no safe outcome to speeding away from a police officer. Increasing your speed, weaving through traffic, running red lights or making sudden turns can cause a crash in seconds. You may also put pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and other innocent motorists in danger. A decision that takes only a few seconds can have consequences that last a lifetime. At the Crash Support Network, we know that a motor vehicle crash can change someone’s life in ways that extend far beyond the moment of impact. Injuries, emotional trauma, medical appointments, financial stress and the long road of recovery can follow. Don’t create a crash trying to avoid a traffic stop.
Pull over Safely
When you are able to stop, choose the safest reasonable location. Use your turn signal and slow down gradually. Avoid sudden braking or swerving. If you are on a roadway with a shoulder, move onto the shoulder when it is safe to do so. Once stopped, stay in the vehicle unless the officer instructs you otherwise. Keep your hands visible and remain calm. Remember that the officer is approaching a vehicle without knowing exactly what they will encounter. Your calm and predictable behaviour can help keep everyone safer.
What Should You Do When You are Stopped?
Once you have safely pulled over:
- Put the vehicle in park.
- Remain in the vehicle unless instructed otherwise.
- Keep your hands visible.
- Stay calm and listen to the officer’s instructions.
- Provide the required documentation when requested.
- Avoid sudden movements.
- If you have questions or concerns, address them calmly.
What if You Think the Officer is Wrong?
You may believe you weren’t speeding. You may believe you followed the rules. You may think the officer has mistaken your vehicle for someone else’s. Whatever the circumstances, don’t try to prove your point by driving away. Pull over first. Deal with the traffic stop safely. If you believe the stop was unjustified or you have concerns about how it was handled, there are appropriate ways to address those concerns afterward. Your safety and the safety of everyone around you comes first.
Think Beyond Yourself
Road safety isn’t just about protecting the person behind the wheel. Every decision we make on the road can affect passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency responders and other drivers. When a driver refuses to stop for police, everyone nearby can potentially be caught in the middle of a dangerous situation. You may genuinely believe you haven’t done anything wrong. You may even be certain that the officer has made a mistake. That is not the moment to argue by driving away. Pull over safely and deal with the situation appropriately. If you have concerns about the traffic stop, there are proper ways to address them afterward. A disagreement with a police officer is never worth risking a collision.
Think About Everyone Else on the Road
When a driver takes off from a police stop, the danger isn’t limited to the driver and the officer. Other motorists don’t know what is happening. A pedestrian crossing the road doesn’t know a vehicle is suddenly going to accelerate. A cyclist may have nowhere to go. A passenger may be completely unaware of what is about to happen. One reckless decision can involve people who had absolutely nothing to do with the original traffic stop.
Don’t Let Panic Make the Decision For You
Sometimes our first reaction in a stressful situation isn’t our best reaction. If police lights appear behind you, take a breath. Slow down. Signal. Pull over safely. Stop. Stay put. Then listen to the officer’s instructions. It really can be that simple.
A Few Seconds Can Make a Lifetime of Difference
No traffic ticket or roadside conversation is worth risking a serious injury or death. Every driver has a responsibility to make choices that reduce the risk of a motor vehicle crash. That includes knowing what to do when an emergency vehicle or police officer is behind you. See the lights? Don’t take off. Slow down. Pull over. Stay put. Because getting home safely is always more important than getting away.
