If you have had your driver’s license for a while, you’ve more than likely seen law enforcement officers out on the road. You may have even been stopped by one from time to time. Law enforcement officers are an important part of the highway transportation system. We need traffic laws in order to get from Point A to Point B safely, and law enforcement officers help make sure everyone follows the same set of rules to ensure our safety on the road. January 9th was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, so we are sharing a few ways to show your appreciation for law enforcement officers you may encounter on the road.
1. Move Over
When you use a highway or freeway, you’ll likely pass by someone pulled over on the shoulder. If you’ve ever been in that situation, you understand how scary it can be to feel the rush of wind as cars zoom by. Now imagine you’re a construction worker or a member of law enforcement and you’re walking on the shoulder. Depending on the location, drivers could be traveling up to 85 miles per hour (and that’s not including anyone who is speeding!), so you can imagine how stressful it would be to walk on the shoulder to approach a stopped car without the protection of a vehicle. One way to help support officers is to move over when you see a law enforcement officer (or any emergency vehicle) on the shoulder. That means moving to a different lane (when it is safe to do so) to put more space between passing vehicles and those stopped on the shoulder. This helps keep everyone safe.
2. Be prepared, courteous, and respectful during traffic stops.
Law enforcement officers pull drivers over for a variety of reasons. Maybe you were speeding, or maybe your brake lights are out and you didn’t notice. It may even be that your vehicle matches the description of one officers are on the lookout for. Traffic stops can be stressful, so it’s important that everyone (including law enforcement officers, drivers, and passengers) are prepared.
Drivers and passengers should not exit the vehicle unless asked to do so by the officer. Exiting the vehicle unprompted could be seen as aggressive behavior and a threat to the officer’s safety. Drivers and passengers should not reach for their license or insurance documents before or while an officer is approaching because the officer will have no way of knowing what you’re reaching for, so it’s best to be very transparent with them. Drivers who transport handguns in their vehicles are encouraged to keep these in a separate location from their license and insurance documents. You are not required to answer an officer’s questions and can tell them that you would like to remain silent, but you must not lie to an officer. If you believe an officer has acted inappropriately during a traffic stop or other encounter, you should report that conduct to the officer’s superiors and follow agency guidelines for submitting complaints against officers as soon as possible.
3. Follow traffic laws.
This one may sound obvious, but it’s true! Following traffic laws is a great way to show appreciation for law enforcement officers. Breaking traffic laws can result in law enforcement officers issuing you a ticket, which is generally something people like to avoid. Remember, ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse for breaking it. If it’s been years since you completed a driver education course in order to earn your driver’s license, you may want to brush up on your traffic law knowledge. Check out our website to learn more about our online traffic safety courses and make sure you’re up-to-date on the laws in your state.
Law enforcement officers are a valuable part of keeping us safe on the roadway. They enforce traffic laws, make sure our vehicles are in proper shape, and respond to emergency situations on the road. Let's show our appreciation for law enforcement this month by keeping the three above tips in mind!
If you have had your driver’s license for a while, you’ve more than likely seen law enforcement officers out on the road. You may have even been stopped by one from time to time. Law enforcement officers are an important part of the highway transportation system. We need traffic laws in order to get from Point A to Point B safely, and law enforcement officers help make sure everyone follows the same set of rules to ensure our safety on the road. January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, so we are sharing a few ways to show your appreciation for law enforcement officers you may encounter on the road.