Stop checks while driving

societys_child

As above^ passing the attitude test can save a load of greif.

Why antagonise them . .

rafhelp

tacpot12 said:

If you are pulled over with sirens, you should stop as soon as it is safe to do so. This means that at night, it may be reasonable to drive to somewhere that is well lit. I would not stop on the side of the motorway unless you ARE prepared to get out of your car. (Let the police know you have seen them, and drive as fast as is safe for the conditions and well within the speed limit. Come off at the first exit and park in the first public area you can find to park.) 

The policeman/woman has to be in uniform for the stop to be legal. (During the pandemic, I would not lower my window to speak to anyone not in uniform, and even then I would put a mask on.)

However, they do not have to have a reason to pull you over, and do not have to tell you if you ask why you have been stopped. It is reasonable to ask why you have been stopped and the police will normally tell you if they have a valid reason. If they give you a vague reason like "We just want to talk to you", they are on a fishing trip, so say as little as possible. Say "I don't wish to discuss that at the side of the road" if they ask any questions that are not relevant to the current situation (During lockdown it would be relevant for them to ask why you are travelling during the lockdown). 

You don't have to get out of your car unless the police want to seize the vehicle (in which case they should tell you why they are doing so if this is not clear, e.g. you have no insurance) or they want to arrest you. However, if there is any danger to the policeman caused by traffic passing the place you have stopped, it is reasonable for them to ask you to exit and probably unreasonable to refuse (During lockdown I think this changes - I would carry a mask in the car, and speak to the police through a slightly lowered window with your mask on - emphasis that the mask is for your and their protection and that you will lower your mask so they can see your face to identify you providing they allow you to wind your window up temporarily. Ask if they will speak to you through the passenger window. Stopping somewhere where the police can stand safely by the driver's window is the best idea, even if this means driving on to find somewhere to stop.)

You have to give your name and address, but you are not required to have ID on you. If you do have ID one you, I would show it by holding it up to the window (This is especially the case during the pandemic, as you don't want anyone touching anything you then have to handle). It will tend to de-escalate any stop if you have ID on you and show it willingly. 

These are good points.

It would make sense during a pandemic to be able to remain in the car and have social distancing and protection, as the government says anyone can spread it.  I seen videos recently of people being stopped, the police do not wear gloves or masks, they ask for ID, like driving licence they take it off the guy and then hand it back... 

In this pandemic stop checks should not require people to step out the car in most cases. 

I got stopped once and this happened to me too i was told to stop the car and then told to get out the car, i showed them the food I had bought.  I did not want to for obvious reasons but did not want to delay the stop.  Then asked to hand over ID, they also were not wearing masks or gloves, they were also standing next to each other, i stepped back to observe social distancing, they handled the card then gave it back, these i later wiped down.  I was asked if I knew why I had been stopped, i said no.

So are cops doing random spot checks now. Be aware of this.

shaun_from_Africa

rafhelp said:

These are good points.

It would make sense during a pandemic to be able to remain in the car and have social distancing 

In this pandemic stop checks should not require people to step out the car in most cases.  

IMO, getting out of the car and speaking to the officer at a 2m distance would pose less of a risk of contagion than having to try to communicate through a partially open window, something that may require heads being put very close to that window to ensure both parties could speak and be heard clearly.

powerful_Rogue

rafhelp said

So are cops doing random spot checks now. Be aware of this.

Does it matter if they are? A PC can stop a vehicle for any reason. Comply, be polite and no doubt you'll be on your merry way within minutes.

societys_child

If I get stopped, I get out and walk towards the police.

#Psycology . .

travis-powers

powerful_Rogue said:

rafhelp said

So are cops doing random spot checks now. Be aware of this.

Does it matter if they are? A PC can stop a vehicle for any reason. Comply, be polite and no doubt you'll be on your merry way within minutes.

Totally agree with this however is this the same police who was too undermanned to deal with the drunk/drugged up driver (did a bit of research) who attacked my son!

giraffe69

travis-powers said:

Totally agree with this however is this the same police who was too undermanned to deal with the drunk/drugged up driver (did a bit of research) who attacked my son!

No. It will be the overworked police who are trying hard to enforce the regulations about social distancing and finding a small bloody minded minority determined to make their life difficult and all this whilst being at enhanced risk of being infected.