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Maryland driving lesson · Crashes & Traffic Stops

Traffic stops

A 2-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Crashes & Traffic Stops
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
44, 45

A traffic stop is tense for everyone. Officers issue written citations (tickets) for violations of Maryland Motor Vehicle Law. Your job is to be safe, visible and cooperative, and save any argument for court.

Citation

A written traffic ticket issued to someone charged with violating the Maryland Motor Vehicle Law.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Know the rule

You must follow the officer's directions if you are stopped, or you may be arrested.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

If a law enforcement officer stops you:

  • Pull off to the side as far from traffic as possible, and turn on your flashers
  • Turn off your engine and radio
  • Roll down your window so you can talk with the officer
  • Stay in your vehicle with your seat belt fastened
  • Keep your hands in plain view, ideally on the steering wheel
  • Make no movement that looks like hiding or reaching for something
Handbook p. 45 ↗

Know the rule

If you get a citation, do not argue with the officer. You'll have your chance to make your case in court.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Put it into practice

The officer hands you a ticket you think is unfair. Don't argue at the roadside; accept it and make your case if you go to court.

Put it into practice

An officer's lights appear behind you at night. Pull well off the road, turn on your flashers, turn off the engine and radio, lower the window, and wait with your hands on the wheel and your belt on.

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.

When a law enforcement officer stops you, where should you pull over?
  1. Wherever you were when you saw the lights
  2. As far away from traffic as possible
  3. In the closest available lane only
  4. Only in a designated parking area

Answer: As far away from traffic as possible

Pull off to the side of the road as far away from traffic as possible when stopped by an officer.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
What should you do with your hands during a traffic stop?
  1. Keep them in your lap out of sight
  2. Reach for your glove box immediately
  3. In plain view, ideally on the wheel
  4. Keep them outside the window

Answer: In plain view, ideally on the wheel

Keep your hands in plain view, on the steering wheel is best, and avoid movements that look like reaching for something.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
If an officer issues you a citation, what should you do?
  1. Refuse to sign or accept it
  2. Argue your case at the scene
  3. Pay the fine to the officer on the spot
  4. Don't argue; make your case in court

Answer: Don't argue; make your case in court

If issued a citation, do not argue with the officer; you'll have your chance to make your case in court.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
What should you do with your engine and radio when stopped by police?
  1. Turn them off
  2. Leave them running for visibility
  3. Only turn off the radio
  4. Only turn off the engine at night

Answer: Turn them off

Turn off your engine and radio when stopped by law enforcement.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
You should stay in your vehicle and keep your seat belt fastened during a traffic stop.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

You should stay in your vehicle with your seat belt fastened during a traffic stop.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
You may be arrested if you fail to follow an officer's directions during a traffic stop.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Failing to follow an officer's directions during a stop can result in arrest.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
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