Bucks County Traffic Stop Expectations

Traffic stops can be a stressful situation for everyone. This is why it is essential that you understand Bucks County traffic stop expectations so that your experience with the police goes smoothly. An accomplished lawyer can help you learn what procedures to take after being pulled over. For more information about traffic stops, read on.

Expectations When Officer Approaches the Vehicle

Once an officer approaches a vehicle, drivers should expect that the officer has general information on their driving record and vehicle. When a vehicle is pulled over, the police may run a check on the vehicle to determine registration, insurance, and whether it has a stolen or wanted status. In most cases, this information has been provided to the police through their vehicle’s computer system.

Once the officer has a discussion with the operator of the vehicle, the driver should hand over the necessary paperwork in a reasonable fashion to the police. At that point, the police may walk back to their patrol car to run additional checks on the driver through their driver’s license, insurance, and registration. Once this is completed, a citation is usually printed and given to the driver along with their paperwork. The operator of the vehicle may speak to the police about the charge, however, it is not advised to dispute the charge. A driver also should only exit their vehicle if requested to do so by police.

Circumstances of the Traffic Stop

There are several scenarios that can determine traffic stop expectations in Bucks County. Traffic infractions and motor vehicle stops go hand-in-hand. The basis for the stop is an alleged infraction. The alleged infraction is subjective and is determined by the officer that saw an individual operating a motor vehicle in a way they feel is inconsistent with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Laws. Other facts of the particular stop are determined by the date, time, location, and weather conditions or lighting.

An individual should act in a reasonable fashion during the motor vehicle stop and comply with any demands a police officer makes within the confines of the law. Once the officer requests information and the operator provide such information, in most cases, the traffic stop ends soon.

Denying Traffic Violations

If an officer asks the driver if they knew they were speeding, the driver should deny any allegation. If the police ask the person if they knew that they were speeding, the driver should respond by saying that they were unaware that they were. Another option is to not answer the question at all. A person should not answer the question in the affirmative because it limits the type of defense that a lawyer may want to raise at a later time if the traffic infraction is going to be disputed.

Reviewing a Traffic Ticket

When an operator is given a ticket or citation by an officer, they should not review it right away. For safety concerns, the person should get back in their vehicle, and upon permission from the officer, pull their vehicle back on the running lanes of the road or highway and continue on their route. An individual can review their ticket when they are in a safe location. The ticket may be reviewed for the date, time, location, make and model of the vehicle, and purpose for the citation or stop at a later time. During the traffic stop, there is no need to question or challenge the motor vehicle infraction. If you have any questions about Bucks County traffic stop expectations, call a well-established lawyer.