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The following article was posted by https://www.defensivedriving.org/the-police-department-guide-to-safe-driving/.

 

Law enforcement agencies serve drivers every day. They work to make roadways safer as they enforce driving laws and regulations, respond to accidents, and educate drivers on safe driving habits. Police officers are essential to driver safety and maintaining order on the road, and in this guide, you’ll learn more about what they do to keep you safe. You’ll learn what police officers do to help drivers, how they respond to accidents, and what you should do if you’re pulled over. Learn about common traffic ticket myths, misconceptions, and other misinformation. Plus, find out what you can do to be a safer driver every day with tips for safe driving habits, keeping kids safe in cars, and avoiding dangerous driving habits including drunk driving.

How Law Enforcement Agencies Serve Drivers

Police officers do more than just write tickets. They make the roads safer every day with accident response, commercial vehicle enforcement, traffic enforcement, education, and more. These are just some of the ways law enforcement agencies serve drivers and make driving safer.
•Accident investigation: If you’re in a car accident, police officers can be called to the scene of the accident. They will gather evidence related to the accident and work to determine cause and which driver is at fault for the accident.
•Emergency response: After an accident, police respond to secure the scene as well. They block traffic, protect personal property, direct traffic, and even provide emergency medical aid until help arrives if necessary.
•Commercial vehicle enforcement: No one wants to be on the road with an 18 wheeler that’s over weight or not following hazardous materials laws. Police departments enforce commercial vehicle restrictions, ensuring that large trucks and other commercial vehicles are not exceeding their weight limits and that they are conforming to hazardous materials transportation requirements.
•Traffic enforcement: Police officers enforce traffic laws, keeping the roads safe from speeders, drivers texting behind the wheel, aggressive drivers, and more. They stop these dangerous drivers and issue tickets for violations.
•Drunk driving enforcement: Drunk driving is hazardous to everyone on the road. Law enforcement officers stop drunk drivers either on the road by observation or at drunk driving checkpoints. They keep the roadways safe from drivers who are under the influence.
•Education: Law enforcement agencies take a proactive approach to public safety, especially on the roads. They offer educational resources and events, encouraging safe driving with public information and awareness.
•Traffic control: Police officers may be called to help direct traffic for special events, heavy traffic, or at accident scenes. This helps with traffic flow and safety. They may also escort large or oversize vehicles, funerals, and motorcades during events.

What to do When You’re Pulled Over

Getting pulled over is never fun, but cooperating with law enforcement officers can make the process easier and safer for both you and the officer. Follow these tips to practice safety during a traffic stop.
•Stay calm: Easier said than done, but getting rattled and stressed out about being pulled over helps no one. Take a deep breath and remember that a traffic citation is not really a big deal. You may be able to have it dismissed with defensive driving and quickly move on (with a better education in safe driving, too).
•Pull over as quickly as possible: As soon as you realize you’re being pulled over, you need to get to the side of the road. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should stop just anywhere. Look for a place that is ideally out of the flow of traffic, such as a parking lot or a side street rather than a major road. You will be safer if you’re stopped away from the flow of traffic and you’ll keep the officer safer, too, as they won’t have to stand in traffic to reach your window. Use your blinker to indicate you’re moving over so that the officer knows you’ve acknowledged them and are preparing to stop.
•Turn off your car and put your hands on your steering wheel: Turning off your car and keeping your hands in view offers reassurance for the police officer. Turning off your car tells them you’re not planning to drive off in the middle of the stop. And placing your hands on the steering wheel keeps them in plain view so they don’t have to wonder if you’re reaching for a weapon.
•Wait to retrieve documents: You may be anxious to get your license, registration, and insurance ready for the police officer to review, but just wait. Rummaging around in your vehicle to get these documents seems innocent, and it probably is. But from behind, there is no way for a police officer to know if you’re digging around for your license or doing something else not so innocent, such as retrieving a weapon from your glove box or hiding alcohol or drugs before they reach your window. Wait until they get to your car and ask you for your documents, then tell them what you’re doing and where you’re reaching as you look for them.
•Don’t make sudden movements or reach out to a police officer: Sudden moves can make a police officer nervous, and rightly so, as you could be reaching for anything or even preparing to get out of your car. Avoid moving suddenly and always try to keep your hands in view. Never reach out to touch an officer, their equipment, or even a police dog, as this is a threat to the officer’s safety. And you should never get out of your vehicle unless asked to do so.
•Avoid arguing about the ticket: Save your argument for the courtroom. The officer is there to issue a citation, and they will issue it whether you agree with it or not. If you want to fight the ticket, you should take it up with a judge, not the officer.
•Call for help if you’re not sure: Some law enforcement vehicles don’t look like traditional patrol vehicles. And there are criminals who impersonate police officers to pull over drivers. While this is rare, it can be a dangerous situation. If you’re being pulled over by a vehicle you’re not sure about, turn on your warning lights and call 911 to verify that you’re being pulled over by a legitimate law enforcement officer.

What You Can do to Increase Your Odds of Receiving a Warning — Instead of a Ticket

Being pulled over doesn’t necessarily mean a police officer will write you a ticket. Often, they can issue warnings instead of a traffic ticket, letting you leave without a ticket, but still encouraging you to avoid breaking traffic laws again. While it’s not always possible to leave a traffic stop without a ticket, try these tips to increase your odds of getting a warning instead of a ticket.
•Help the officer stay safe: Police officers notice when you show concern for their safety. Pull over quickly to a spot that’s safe for them, turn off your vehicle, keep your hands visible, and turn on your overhead light. This sends a message that you respect their safety, and they’re likely to appreciate it.
•Behave with courtesy: Be polite, positive, and cooperative with the officer. Make their job easier, and they may be inclined to make things easier for you, too.
•Wave if you speed past a police officer: Wave at a police officer if you pass them while speeding. Doing so tells them that you know you were driving too fast and that you’re slowing down. If you’re not going much over the speed limit, they may not bother to pull you over.
•Don’t admit you were speeding: You should be honest, but you don’t need to come out and admit that you were speeding or otherwise breaking the law if you’re not asked. If you admit guilt, the officer may have to issue a ticket.
•Don’t flirt or bribe: Sure, it may work on TV and in the movies, but in real life, flirting or bribing your way out of a ticket can be insulting. Most officers don’t appreciate this approach — and it may encourage them to give you a ticket instead of a warning.
•Ask for a warning: The officer may be considering a warning already, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. If you feel you didn’t make a serious mistake, you can ask them directly to consider giving you a warning instead of a ticket. Ask politely, and they may agree with you.

Traffic Ticket Myths

There’s a lot of information related to traffic tickets, such as how to get them dismissed, strategies for challenging them, and how to get off with a warning. But some of the things you may have heard about traffic tickets just aren’t true. These myths are some of the more common misconceptions about traffic tickets that many people believe, but they shouldn’t.
•Your ticket will be dropped if the officer doesn’t show up: While this is true in some states, it’s not always something you can depend on. Some states don’t require an officer to appear for traffic ticket hearings. In these states, the case will be tried with or without the officer. Also, keep in mind that showing up in court is part of an officer’s job and they may earn overtime pay for making an appearance. You should expect that the officer will show up if you contest your ticket.
•Radars are frequently inaccurate and you can use this inaccuracy to get out of a ticket: You may have heard it is possible to cite radar inaccuracy as a reason for dismissing your traffic ticket, but most judges won’t accept this claim without serious evidence. You’ll have to provide proof that the officer’s equipment hasn’t been recalibrated recently.
•You won’t get pulled over if you’re going with the flow of traffic: Speeding is speeding and it doesn’t matter if everyone else is doing it. While it’s generally safe to go with the flow of traffic, you should not do so if that requires you to speed. And you can still get a ticket if you’re speeding, no matter how fast the people next to you are going.
•The ticket isn’t valid if there are mistakes on it: Simple errors like an incorrect date or misspelled street name will not invalidate your ticket. These mistakes do not make a difference in whether or not you actually violated the law and can’t be used as a defense.
•The ticket isn’t valid if you don’t sign it: Your signature on a traffic ticket is only a promise to appear in court. It is not an admission of guilt. A traffic citation is still valid with or without your signature and you’ll still be responsible for it.
•You don’t have to take care of out of state traffic tickets: If you receive a traffic ticket out of state, you’re still expected to take care of it. Ignore it and you may rack up additional fines and even a warrant for arrest. Plus, many states participated in the Interstate Driver’s License Compact, which will forward your reported traffic violations to your home state.
•Officers issue more citations at the end of the month to meet quotas: Many police departments don’t set quotas, and even those that do typically set them very low, so it’s not likely that officers are out hunting for violations specifically to issue as many tickets as possible. They’re simply observing violations and writing tickets for them, the same thing they’re doing any other day of the month.

How You Can Waive Traffic Tickets with Defensive Driving

If you receive a traffic ticket, you may not be stuck with it. Many courts allow drivers to waive traffic tickets by completing a defensive driving course. They do this to give otherwise safe drivers a second chance — as long as you prove that you’re serious about improving your driving skills and becoming a more responsible driver by taking a defensive driving course.

Defensive driving may wipe your slate clean and make it like the ticket never happened. Complete the course and associated court administrative tasks, and you can reduce or remove the fine associated with the ticket, remove the ticket from your driving record, and avoid adding points to your license. You’ll redeem your status as a good driver.

In some states, you can’t waive a traffic ticket with defensive driving. Instead, they often have programs where you can reduce your driver’s license points. This may allow you to avoid a driver’s license suspension or other penalties.

Not all drivers will be eligible to complete defensive driving and waive their traffic ticket, though it is possible for most minor traffic violations. Requirements typically include:
•Drivers must not hold a commercial driver’s license.
•Drivers must not have completed a driving safety course for a traffic ticket dismissal within the past year.
•Drivers must not have a serious traffic infraction. Serious offenses include excessive speeding, accidents, work zone offenses, and passing a school bus.
•Drivers must have a valid driver’s license.
•Drivers must have proof of liability insurance.

Most courts allow drivers to complete defensive driving courses online, or you can choose to attend a defensive driving course in person. Most defensive driving courses will be between four to 12 hours depending on your state’s requirements and your level of violation.

A defensive driving course will give you an overview of safe, defensive driving habits. You’ll learn safe driving techniques, get updated on state and local driving laws, and find out how to avoid accidents and further traffic tickets. Curriculum typically includes:
•accident avoidance techniques
•important state traffic laws and regulations
•driver attitudes and responsibilities
•avoiding drunk driving, impaired driving, and distracted driving
•using seat belts, car seats, and other protective equipment
•controlling speed and following distance
•handling driving emergencies

The Police Department Guide to Defensive Driving

Responsible driving habits are essential to keeping the roads safe. Every year, nearly 33,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes. An additional 6,337 people are injured in crashes daily. In 94 percent of all crashes, human error is to blame, including errors such as distractions, inadequate surveillance, and inattention. You can stay safer on the road and improve your driving skills by practicing these safe driving habits.
•Don’t drive drunk: Drunk driving is always a bad choice. This bad driving habit kills more than 10,000 people every year. You should never drink and drive. Instead, you should plan how to get home safely and avoid driving under the influence of drugs.
•Don’t drive distracted: Texting and driving can be fatal. Nine Americans are killed every day in distracted driving accidents. Annually, distracted driving is a factor in 3,154 fatalities and 424,000 injuries. That’s 16 percent of all motor vehicle crashes. Never text behind the wheel and avoid distracted driving habits including eating, smoking, talking on the phone and using GPS. It’s a good idea to keep your phone out of reach so you won’t be tempted to use it while you’re driving.
•Avoid speeding: Speeding is a factor in 28 percent of all crashes in the United States and it is the leading cause of fatal crashes. For every mile per hour you drive over the speed limit, your crash risk increases incrementally. Slow down and obey posted speed limits. You should travel at a safe speed for conditions, slowing down if there’s traffic or difficult weather to deal with.
•Don’t tailgate: Tailgating is a dangerous driving habit, as it closes the gap between you and the driver in front of you. If they stop suddenly, you may not have enough time to slow down before you hit them. You should leave at least two seconds of travel time in between you and the car in front of you.
•Avoid aggressive driving: Speeding, failing to yield proper right of way, weaving in and out of lanes, and cutting off other drivers can be very aggressive. These actions can bring about road rage even in otherwise calm drivers, leading to a dangerous situation. You should stay calm on the road and avoid or move over for other drivers who are behaving aggressively.
•Wear a seat belt: Seat belts have saved thousands of lives. They keep you restrained during an accident, preventing you from being thrown from your vehicle or becoming a projectile, hitting your dashboard or other surfaces inside. Every time you get in your vehicle, use your seat belt and insist that passengers do so as well. You should wear your seat belt so that the shoulder belt rests and your shoulder and in the middle of your chest, while your lap belt sits snugly on your hips.
•Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists: Every seven minutes, a pedestrian is injured. Every two hours, one is killed. Pedestrians are at a safety disadvantage against drivers, so drivers should take care to watch out for pedestrians and avoid collisions with them. Staying vigilant in looking out for pedestrians is important, as is following traffic signs and signals. You should always give pedestrians the right of way and follow speed limits. Avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
•Take extra care in school zones: School zones have lower speeds for a good reason. Children may not be as careful as adults when walking in and around roadways, so it’s up to drivers to be extra alert and slow down. Children may run into the street without looking and without warning. Look for pedestrians in and out of crosswalks around schools. And of course, be sure to avoid distracted driving and observe cell phone laws for school zones.
•Don’t run red lights: More than 900 people are killed every year as a result of red light running, often pedestrians or passengers. These accidents are especially dangerous as vehicles are hit broadside close to passengers without the crumple zones of a front or back bumper. You should always observe traffic signals and plan how you’ll make your way through an intersection. Don’t try to outrun yellow lights. Slow down for stale green lights and be ready to stop. It’s also a good idea to pause before you head through an intersection, as cars may be traveling through and pose a hazard. Look both ways, then proceed.

Safe Driving Laws Many Drivers Get Wrong

With so many driving laws on the books, it can be difficult to remember all of them — and get all of them right. In fact, there are many driving laws that drivers often get wrong or simply don’t understand. Are you guilty of believing these driving law misconceptions?
•Speeding just over the speed limit: While most police officers won’t pull you over for going five miles per hour over the speed limit, speeding is speeding. Even if you’re going with the flow of traffic, a police officer can pull you over for traveling at a speed higher than the speed limit allows.
•Early merging: Often, polite drivers feel that early merging is best. As soon as you see a sign that says you’ll need to merge, many drivers want to get over. And if a late merger comes in right at the end, it really ticks them off. But late merging is actually better for traffic. Instead of merging immediately, you should stay in your lane and merge using the zipper technique, which allows cars to take turns one after the other as they merge.
•Right of way confusion: Right of way is confusing for many drivers and it’s easy to get right of way wrong. But getting it right is important to safety, as failure to yield right of way is responsible for more than 3,000 fatal crashes every year. Failing to stop at stop signs, taking your turn too early, merging inappropriately, and entering or exiting roundabouts improperly are common right of way mistakes. Visit our guide to right of way in every situation to learn how to properly yield right of way and stay safe.
•Stopping for school buses: Many drivers don’t realize that when a school bus stops, so do other drivers on the roadway. When the lights are flashing on a school bus, you have to stop. This is true even if you’re on the other side of the road. The only time you don’t have to stop for a school bus is if you’re on the opposite side of a divided highway, but even then, some states still require you to stop. Failing to stop for a school bus can result in heavy fines, license points, and other penalties.
•Stopping at broken traffic signals: When an intersection’s lights lose power, it’s not a free for all. You still have to stop and yield right of way to other drivers. If you’re approaching an intersection without working lights, you should treat it as a four way stop.

How Police Help at Car Accidents

Law enforcement agencies are first responders for traffic accidents. They respond to accidents 24 hours a day to make accident scenes safer and protect people who have been involved in accidents. Law enforcement services at car accidents include:
•Securing the accident scene: Police officers secure the scene of an accident with flares and other devices to indicate to other motorists that they should avoid the area. They may also block the accident area with a squad car. This keeps everyone involved in the accident safer, helping other drivers avoid crashing into the disabled vehicles. Police presence also helps to safeguard personal property at the accident. If it’s possible for disabled vehicles to be moved off the road or to the shoulder, police officers will help facilitate the move.
•Checking on drivers and passengers involved in the crash: Police will provide emergency medical aid to drivers and passengers involved in the accident. They will also evaluate them for drunk driving or drug use.
•Facilitating medical care: If LifeFlight rescue is needed for any drivers or passengers, police officers will clear a landing zone so that paramedics can reach the victim.
•Accident investigation: Police officers will gather evidence related to the crash scene. They will record information including vehicle, driver, and insurance information. The officer will also take measurements and photos as well as statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses. They will record evidence including tire marks, vehicle parts, broken glass, and patterns of damage on the vehicles. This evidence is used to reconstruct accident scenes and determine who is at fault.
•Directing traffic and clearing the accident scene: Officers will assist with clearing the scene, helping tow truck drivers and fire department vehicles navigate the accident scene and get out of the traffic area. They will direct traffic to help other motorists move smoothly around the accident scene without interference.

What to  do if your involved in an accident.

If you’re involved in a car accident, you should take care and get help right away. Do your best to stay calm and keep a level head so that you can stay safe, help officers complete their investigation, and move on quickly with minimal traffic disruption.
•Pull over if you can: Whenever possible, you should move your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the accident to the side of the road, or ideally, off the roadway. You’ll clear the way and avoid impeding traffic. You will also be safer, as other motorists driving by the accident can hit you, causing injury or death, especially if they’re distracted by the accident.
•Call the police: Call to get help right away, even if there are no injuries. With police on the scene, you’ll have an objective third party to record evidence and accurately determine the party at fault for the accident. Police officers will also keep the scene safer and direct traffic away from you and your vehicle while you’re vulnerable on the road.
•Watch for hit and run drivers: Not all drivers will stay to sort out the details after an accident. Some will actually flee the scene, typically if they are at fault and/or driving without required insurance coverage. If the other driver involved in the accident tries to leave, do your best to write down their license plate number, or better yet, photograph their vehicle and license plate so that you can share this information with police and your insurance company.
•Stay calm and assess the damage: Get out and check on passengers and the other driver. Do not respond emotionally or attack the other driver physically or verbally — even if they make an infuriating mistake. Determine the damage to both vehicles, taking care to stay out of the way of traffic.
•Record information and take photos: When the police arrive, they will take each driver’s information, including insurance information, but you should write it down yourself just in case. Get license plate numbers, the names of the driver and passengers, make and model of their vehicle, and insurance information. Write down names and contact information for any witnesses an the name and badge number of police officers on the scene. Record the weather and traffic conditions, the location of the accident, and other important factors. You should also draw a diagram of the scene that you can send to your insurance company.
•Get a tow or roadside assistance: If you can’t move your vehicle off the roadway on your own, you’ll need to get help quickly to avoid holding up the flow of traffic. Get a tow truck to move your vehicle off of the road and towed to a mechanic or dealership for repairs.
•Get medical attention: You may receive emergency paramedic care on the scene and even be transported to a hospital if you have serious injuries. But even if you’re able to walk away from a crash, you may need medical care. Visit your doctor, urgent care center, or emergency room as soon as possible, especially if you lost consciousness at any point during the accident.
•Call your insurance company: Let your insurance company know that you’ve been involved in an accident and start the claims process. If you’re not at fault, your premiums should not be impacted. Your insurance company can also help to get your claim pushed through with the other driver’s insurance company if they are the at fault party.
•Replace car seats: If you have children, you should replace their car seats after an accident. Even after a minor car accident, car seats may no longer be safe, as they are designed to only be safe for one crash. Unseen damage may have happened even if the seat looks fine, so it’s safest to simply replace them. This expense is typically covered by insurance companies.
•Follow up and get the police report: After the accident, contact the police department to get a copy of the police report. The responding officer should give you an identification number at the scene to make it easy to obtain the report. Keep in mind that it may take days or even weeks for the report to become available and you may have to pay an administrative fee.

Why Drunk Driving is a Deadly Choice

Drunk driving is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a driver. This deadly habit kills nearly 30 Americans every day and is the cause of almost a third of all traffic related deaths.

Driving impaired can happen faster than you might think. Drivers at every blood alcohol content level from .01 to .27 have each caused more than 200 fatal drunk driving crashes every year. And the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes is almost the same between drivers who have a .02 blood alcohol content and those with .26.

Even just a few drinks can seriously impair your driving. Alcohol can affect your driving abilities, leading to a decline in muscle control, judgement, visual functions, alertness, coordination, concentration, reaction time, and more.

Drunk driving ruins lives, hurting victims as well as drivers — if you’re lucky enough to make it home alive. DUIs typically cost about $10,000 and can cost thousands more in raised auto insurance premiums in the years following a conviction. In some cases, a DUI may become a criminal offense. You may lose your license, have to attend classes or treatment, or even spend time in prison.

Drunk driving doesn’t just happen. It’s a crime that irresponsible drivers choose to commit. It often happens when drivers don’t plan how they’ll get home from a night out. You can save lives by taking steps to avoid drunk driving, including:
•Making a commitment to never drive drunk: It may sound silly, but promising yourself you’ll never drive drunk can make a difference. Make the choice to avoid drunk driving and always find a safe way to get home.
•Plan your night out: Before you head out, you should make a plan for how you’ll get home if you’ve been drinking. That may mean leaving your car at home and taking public transportation, a cab, or Uber instead, or arranging a designated driver.
•Take turns being a designated driver: When you make plans to go out, decide ahead of time who will be responsible for getting you home safely. Take turns being the designated driver and never drink when it’s your turn to drive home.
•Use public transportation or a cab to get home: If you’ve driven to your destination, but you’ve been drinking, don’t try to drive home. Instead, leave your car where it is and ride public transportation or hire a cab or Uber to take you home. Even if it’s expensive, the cost pales in comparison to the potential expense and devastation of a DUI or drunk driving accident.

How to Keep Kids Safe in Cars

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children 13 and under. That means it’s essential for parents to take care to protect children while riding in vehicles. Using the proper car seat or booster, insisting on seat belt use, and taking other steps to make your car safer for children.
•Use a car seat correctly every time: Car seats can reduce the risk of death for children in motor vehicles by as much as 71 percent. Parents should choose the right sized car seat or booster seat for children and get help with installation to ensure they’re using it safely each time. Visit our Ultimate Car Seat Safety Guide to learn more about properly using car seats.
•Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag: Air bags inflate instantly after a crash and come out at a high rate of speed. They come out so fast that they can injure or even kill children if they are too close to the air bag. This makes it especially dangerous for babies in rear facing seats, as their head and neck are so close to the air bag.
•Place children 12 and under in the back seat: Even older children can be at risk in the front seat. They have weaker muscles and larger heads, which can case a problem when an air bag explodes. You should always put children in the back seat whenever possible.
•Never leave children unattended in a vehicle: Leave your children unattended in your car, and anything could happen. Your car could be stolen with them inside, it could be involved in an accident. They could get out of the car and go missing, they could be abducted. You might even forget you left them in the car while the temperature becomes dangerous (or even deadly) hot or cold.
•Activate child locks: Children can get curious and open doors — even opening them while you’re driving, creating a dangerous situation. Switch on child locks so that they can’t open the door from the inside without your help.
•Don’t let kids eat in the car: Eating in the car is something that many busy families do, but it’s a bad idea from a safety standpoint. Children are more likely to choke on foods while eating in the car, as a vehicle in motion could cause foods to lodge in their throat. This is especially true if they’re unsupervised in the back seat. Can’t avoid eating in the car? Only let kids eat soft foods that you know they can eat safely.

How Your Local Police Department Can Help You Safely Install a Car Seat

Police departments are concerned with passenger safety. While in some states, fire departments handle car seat safety checks, on others, police departments do. Many law enforcement agencies offer free car seat checks for families, as proper installation and use of car seats is essential to keeping kids safe in vehicles.

A police department car seat check helps parents learn how to use car seats safely. They will help parents choose the right car seat for their child’s age and size, install it properly, and show them how to strap their child in appropriately.

It’s easy to get car seat help from your police department. You can find a child car seat inspection station or call your local police department directly for information on upcoming events or scheduling an appointment for a car seat check.

Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to prepare by reading your car seat’s manual and bringing the car seat manual. You should install the car seat ahead of time so that the police department can point out where you’ve made mistakes, if any.

Help Police Officers Help You

Police officers help drivers every day, making the roads a safer place to get where you need to go. You can help them by making their work environment safer and by following traffic laws to lighten their load.
•Take care when you’re pulled over: One sixth of all officers who die accidentally in the line of duty are killed by being struck by a vehicle. Police officers are often very concerned that they will be struck by a passing vehicle, and that concern is not unfounded. You can help officers stay safer by choosing a good place to pull over. Put on your blinker and pull into a parking lot or side street. If you’re on the highway, pull all the way over to the right of the shoulder.
•Give police officers the right of way: If you see a police car with their lights flashing, get out of their way. Pull over to the right as far as possible and never turn or get in front of a police vehicle with lights flashing.
•Practice safe driving habits: Lighten the load of law enforcement and don’t give them something to worry about. Follow traffic laws and regulations and practice safe driving habits so that you’re making the streets safer, not more dangerous. Never drive drunk, drowsy, or distracted.
•Be friendly and wave: Law enforcement officers are people, too. If you see a patrol car in your neighborhood or on the road, smile and wave. Making a friendly gesture can help lift an officer’s spirits and remind them who they’re working to protect and serve.