Roadwise States Indiana Driving lessons Traffic stops by law enforcement Indiana driving lesson · Accidents & Emergencies
Traffic stops by law enforcement A 3-minute lesson from the Indiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Accidents & Emergencies
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 65, 66 Traffic stops carry unknown risk and are stressful for you and the officer. These steps show the officer you've seen them and keep everyone safe.
When an officer signals you to stop: Turn on your right turn signal to acknowledge the officer Move to the right-side shoulder; never the center median or the opposite side of a two-lane road If there's no shoulder, or it's too narrow, find the next safest place to pull over Pull over as soon as it's safe, as far off the road as possible, in a well-lit area if you can If you can't stop right away, slow down and turn on your hazard lights At night, you're encouraged to turn on the interior light Handbook p. 65 ↗ Know the rule
If you don't acknowledge the officer with your signal, the officer may think you have a reason to avoid yielding or that you're impaired.
Handbook p. 65 ↗ Once you're stopped: End phone calls and turn off the radio Stay inside the vehicle unless the officer directs you out Driver's hands on the steering wheel; passengers' hands visible in their laps With tinted windows, roll all the windows down before the officer reaches you Documents in the glove box, under a seat, or on your phone? Tell the officer before reaching Handbook p. 66 ↗ Know the rule
To operate a vehicle you must have a valid driver's license, registration, and insurance.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ If you get a ticket or are arrested, you should not: Debate the reason for the stop or argue with the officer Refuse to sign the ticket Be uncooperative with law enforcement at the scene Argue about the ticket when it's issued; you can present your case in traffic court Resist arrest Handbook p. 66 ↗ Know the rule
Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt. It only acknowledges that you received it.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ Know the rule
If you're suspected of drunk driving, refusing breath, urine, blood, or performance tests can cost you your driving privileges.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ Know the rule
Officers must give their names and badge numbers on request. Report inappropriate conduct to the officer's superiors as soon as possible; written complaints go to internal affairs or a civilian complaint board.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ Know the rule
Police are legally required to document all traffic stops, including the driver's name and address for data collection.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ Put it into practice
At night on a two-lane road with no shoulder, you see flashing lights behind you. Turn on your right signal, slow down with hazards on, and stop at the next safe, well-lit spot. Turn on the interior light and keep your hands on the wheel.
A useful reminder Right signal, right shoulder, hands visible, stay inside.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What should you do to acknowledge a law enforcement officer's presence during a traffic stop? Flash your headlights repeatedly Wave your arm out the window Honk your horn Turn on your right turn signal Answer: Turn on your right turn signal
Acknowledge the officer's presence by turning on your right turn signal.
Handbook p. 65 ↗ Where should you never stop when being pulled over? In a freeway median or opposite side of a two-lane road On the right-hand shoulder of the road In a nearby, well-lit parking lot Near a 24-hour gas station Answer: In a freeway median or opposite side of a two-lane road
Do not stop in the center median of a freeway or on the opposite side of a two-lane roadway.
Handbook p. 65 ↗ Where should you keep your hands during a traffic stop? In your lap, out of sight In clear view, such as on the steering wheel Holding your license and registration ready Wherever feels most comfortable Answer: In clear view, such as on the steering wheel
The driver should keep their hands on the steering wheel, in clear view.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ Does signing a traffic ticket admit guilt? Yes, it is a formal legal admission of guilt Yes, unless you write 'not guilty' on it No, it only acknowledges receiving the ticket It depends entirely on the officer's discretion Answer: No, it only acknowledges receiving the ticket
Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt, only an acknowledgment of receiving the ticket.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ What can happen if a driver suspected of drunk driving refuses a breath, urine, or blood test? A warning with no penalty An automatic court date only A reduced fine only Loss of driving privileges Answer: Loss of driving privileges
If a driver is suspected of drunk driving, refusal to submit to breath, urine, or blood tests can result in loss of driving privileges.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ Should you exit your vehicle during a traffic stop before being told to? No, remain inside unless directed by the officer Yes, walk back to meet the officer Yes, if the stop is on a busy road Only to get documents from the trunk Answer: No, remain inside unless directed by the officer
Remain inside your vehicle unless otherwise directed by the officer.
Handbook p. 66 ↗ Previous lesson Roadside emergencies & equipment failures Next lesson Carbon monoxide poisoning More in Accidents & Emergencies About the source Roadwise’s Indiana course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 65, 66. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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