This section is manned by deputies who, in addition to the general Patrol Section skills, concentrate on duties including: traffic law enforcement, hit-skip and fatal accident investigations, and operation of intoxilyzer units. This section also conducts numerous traffic safety and education programs.

Traffic Stops - Why Do Officers Conduct Traffic Stops?

No one likes to receive a ticket, but if a ticket prevents someone from operating a vehicle in such a manner which could place members of the community in harms way, we all benefit.

Traffic Stops Are Dangerous

Many officers are killed and injured in traffic related incidents each and every year. This is because even the most routine traffic stop has a level of danger. There is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. During traffic stops officers locate wanted suspects, unlicensed motorists, uninsured motorists, impaired drivers, drugs and weapons. Traffic stops like these occur everyday across the United States. Officers are trained to place a great deal of emphasis on their safety and take a defensive stance at the stop until the threat of confrontation has diminished.

What You Can Do As The Driver/Passenger

When you are stopped by an officer, you can help create a trouble free traffic encounter by:

• Carrying the proper identification (driver's license, state identification card, proof of insurance and vehicle registration)
• After receiving a visual and/or audible signal from an officer to stop, pull your vehicle to the right side of the roadway and as far as possible out of the lane of travel. Generally, pull off onto the right shoulder where the shoulder is wider, unless otherwise directed by the officer. Turn your emergency flasher on.
• Remember to remain calm. If there are passengers, have them remain quiet. You and your passengers need to comply with the officers instructions during the stop. Do not make any threatening movements or statements. Keep your hands in plain sight for the officer to see.
• Remain inside your vehicle, do not exit unless told to do so. Remaining inside your vehicle is the safest place for you and your occupants.

Explaining The Traffic Stop:
Why an officer does the things he does during a traffic stop

Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things that a law enforcement officer does. A large number of officers are killed or injured during traffic stops.

The officer will position himself behind the driver's door for his own safety. By positioning himself in this matter it allows the officer to have a clear view of the entire passenger compartment.

During the hours of darkness the risk to an officer increases simply by the fact that he cannot see into the vehicle as he approaches. In order for the officer to see the occupant(s) of a vehicle he will "light up" the stopped vehicle by using a flashlight, the high beams, spotlight and/or overhead lights.

When the officer first approaches your vehicle, the officer might seem a little blunt towards you. During the initial stop the officer does not know if you are only a traffic violator or wanted for a more serious offense.

When an officer returns to his vehicle with your driver's license he will be doing several things. The officer will run your information on his mobile data terminal. This is done to ensure that you have a valid driver's license and to check to see if you have any outstanding warrants. This part of the traffic stop will take a few minutes so please remain calm. If the officer returns with a citation he will ask for your current address and phone number, he will then ask you to sign the citation. By signing the citation you agree to pay the citation as instructed or appear in court. You are not admitting guilt.

After the traffic stop has been completed the officer will return your license and insurance card, and advise you that you are free to go. Before pulling back into traffic turn your turn signal on, accelerate forward and merge into traffic.