Rocky Alberti

www.keenepd.org

Information to Remember

Please keep in mind when you are signaled to pull over by an officer that law enforcement can be dangerous work. Do not assume the officer knows that you are a law abiding citizen, officers must be cautious at all times.

When you signal to pull over...

• Pull over as far to the right as safely possible. This allows the officer to more safely walk to your car.
• Turn off the ignition.
• Turn on the interior light if the stop occurs at night.
• Place your hands on the steering wheel until the officer can make a safety evaluation as approaching your car.
• Avoid making any sudden or reaching movements.
• Please stay in your vehicle unless asked by the officer to exit your car.
• If you are carrying a weapon, advise the officer of the weapon and the location.
• Always follow the officer's instructions.

Stopping at night, especially along a dark stretch of road, can heighten the tension for you and the officer. Officers do not object to a driver proceeding to the nearest well-lit area. Simply acknowledge the officer by turning on your flashers and drive at a reduced speed.

If asked to exit the vehicle, walk to the rear of your vehicle to the side away from traffic, or as directed by the officer. Use the vehicle as a barrier between you and on-coming cars.

The officer will ask for two pieces of information: your driver's license and insurance card.

Please do not attempt to argue with the officer. This may increase the tension in an already stressful situation. Depending on the reason the officer initiated the traffic stop, you may or may not be given a citation. If you receive a citation, you will be advised of your options in making a disposition of the citation.

Once the traffic stop is finished, walk carefully back to your vehicle watching on-coming traffic. When an opportunity exists, carefully merge back into the flow of traffic.

Passing Authorized Emergency Vehicle

A law went into effect September 2003 that makes it a violation to pass certain stationary emergency vehicles on a highway. Transportation Code Section 545.157 states that on approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle using visual signals, an operator of a vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle when driving on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle; or slow to a speed not to exceed 20 miles miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more; or five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is less than 25 miles per hour.

Traffic Accidents

The Texas Transportation Code is the guide for reporting accidents. Section 550.022 makes it the driver's responsibility to immediately stop the vehicle involved in an accident that has caused damage to another vehicle and comply with Section 550.023. If the vehicles are drivable and there has been no injuries, the drivers may move the vehicles out of traffic and exchange information. However, if anyone is injured, immediately call (or have someone else call) for an ambulance and police to make the scene.

Section 550.023 requires the driver of the vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death of a person, or damage to a vehicle, to give the following information to the person in the other vehicle:

• their name and address
• registration number (license plate) of the vehicle being driven
• name of liability insurer
• their driver's license if requested and available

Section 550.023 also places the responsibility of providing reasonable assistance to anyone injured on the driver of the vehicle that caused damage to the other vehicle.

If the operator of a vehicle doesn't have or show the required information, the police should be called to make a report.

If the operators make the decision to settle out of pocket, they have entered into a civil agreement which the police will not be able to mediate. If attempts to collect for the damage are rebuffed, the driver of the damaged vehicle may hire an attorney to file a lawsuit, try the case in small claims court or simply file under their own insurance company for uninsured/underinsured motorists.

When in doubt, call the police!