What to Expect at a Traffic Stop in Virginia

A driver should expect a traffic stop to last between 10 to 20 minutes. Also, they should anticipate that the officer will approach their driver’s side door unless it is a very heavily-trafficked area. If so, the officer may approach the vehicle from the passenger’s side for safety reasons. Once the officer reaches their window, the driver should roll it down to talk to them. The police will likely ask for their driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance.

The driver should not get out of their car at any time unless instructed by the police officer and if they tell them to wait in the car while they do paperwork, they should not try—it is nonsensical that they would, but they should not drive away.

If you have any questions about what to expect at a traffic stop in Virginia, contact a lawyer today. A seasoned traffic attorney could walk you through the process and help you understand your rights.

What to Do When a Driver Sees Lights in Their Rearview Mirror

When a driver notices police lights in their rearview mirror, they should not immediately slam on their brakes. Stopping immediately could cause an accident. Instead, they should move over to the side of the road to a safe location when they can safely do so.

If the officer is there to pull over the driver, then they have safely pulled over and allowed the officer to pull behind them. If the officer is not attempting to pull them over, they should still pull over to the side of the road to give them room to pass safely during their emergency procedures.

Pulling Over

Generally, for traffic stops, the driver is supposed to pull over to the right side of the road. This is true even if the driver is on the left side of the road. In this case, they should safely move over to the right shoulder of the road. They need to do this as soon as possible but also in a safe way.

If there is no shoulder, they need to drive as close to one as possible without putting their car into an embankment. The driver needs to be generally cognizant of the area, where it would be safe to park even on the grass and try not to park in the way of other drivers, and in the way of oncoming traffic. If there is truly no place to park, then there is the ability within a reasonable distance to put the flashers on, to put the signal on, to indicate that they will be moving right and to exit off the first ramp that is available to get away from the interstate but in a safe place that is lit and accessible.

If a driver has any questions about pulling over or what to expect at a traffic stop in Virginia, they should contact an accomplished attorney.

Call an Attorney For More Information

It is crucial that you know what to expect at a traffic stop in Virginia. Having this knowledge can prevent you from facing any unnecessary problems. Also, it is critical that you know your rights. Call a well-versed lawyer today for more information.