A 3-minute lesson from the South Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
When an officer's lights come on behind you, your actions tell the officer a lot. Signal, pull to the right, and keep everyone's hands in view.
Know the rule
Acknowledge the officer by turning on your right turn signal. If you seem not to notice, the officer may think you're trying to avoid stopping or are impaired.
Move to the right shoulder; the officer will guide you with the patrol vehicle. Don't stop in a freeway median or on the opposite side of a two-lane road.
On a freeway, move completely onto the right shoulder, even from the carpool/HOV lane, and pull as far off the road as possible. At night, look for a well-lit spot.
In most situations the safest place for you and your passengers is inside the vehicle; getting out unasked can get you struck by traffic or raise the officer's sense of threat.
Lights appear behind you while you're in the left lane of the interstate. Signal right, move across to the right shoulder (not the median), and pull as far off the road as you can. Then turn off the radio and keep your hands on the wheel.
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 signals you to pull over, what should you do first?
Pull into the center median
Stop right where you are
Turn on your right turn signal
Lower all your windows before moving
Answer: Turn on your right turn signal
Acknowledge the officer's presence by turning on your right turn signal, letting them know you recognize them.