Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
What did I do? I'm getting pulled over!
Traffic stops are among the most common interactions the public will have with law enforcement. It is important for both the officer and motorist to know how to deal with the situation calmly and professionally.
Editors Note: This is Part One of a multiple issue series. Read next week's edition to find out how a traffic stop looks through a police officer's eyes.
For most people this could be their first interaction with law enforcement. What most of us have seen on the news has everyone worried and on edge with what will happen next. The Glasgow Police Department has been doing informative stops with the driver's education class for the past few years in an effort to allow first time drivers the information to successfully complete a motor vehicle stop with a positive citizen officer contact. The Glasgow Police Department would like to put your worries and traffic stop myths to rest.
When you see the "Cherries and Berries" or flashing lights, law enforcement is looking for you to immediately pull over in a safe location. Safe locations consist of those that are not heavily occupied by pedestrians and safe from the motoring public. Law enforcement expects you to stay in your vehicle and they will approach you.
The officer or officers expect the driver and passengers to not move about the cab looking for items.
If possible, light the cab up and stay off all electronics, placing your hands in a location they can be seen.
The officer or officers will identify themselves and inform the driver of the reason why they are being pulled over. You will be asked for your license, registration and proof of insurance - Montana law states that you must carry these with you whenever you are operating a motor vehicle.
Your local department may or may not cite you for not carrying these items.
The state system can confirm all these registration items except insurance. However, 90% of insurance can be confirmed through the state system.
Law Enforcement will then inform you what the outcome of the traffic stop is going to be, citation or warning. Approximately 75% of all traffic stops end in a warning only.
Law enforcement will then return to their patrol vehicle where they will check your driver's license, registration and insurance.
This process goes a lot faster when those items are provided to them. They will then hand write or print a warning or citation.
Under special circumstances a verbal warning will be issued.
Officers would like to see your hands once again upon the second approach to your vehicle. They will return your items and issue you a warning or citation(s).
The interaction will end with directions about what steps need to be taken next by the motorist.
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