130 N.
Ft. Thomas Ave.
Ft. Thomas, KY 41075 |
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HIGHWAY
SAFETY |
WHAT TO DO WHEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE
You look into your
mirror and see a patrol car behind you with its emergency lights
flashing. If you are like most people, this can be a stressful
experience.
Knowing what to do, and what not
to do will make the experience less stressful and will help insure
your safety, the safety of other motorists, and the safety of
the officer.
Kentucky Law requires a motorist
to pull as far as possible to the RIGHT of the traveled portion
of the highway and stop when a police car approaches displaying
emergency equipment. The motorist must remain stopped until the
car has passed, or a police officer directs you otherwise.
When you see flashing blue
lights on a patrol car, don't panic. Simply slow down, signal
your intension to turn onto the right shoulder, and drive off
the roadway to the right as far as you can safely do so.
It is important that neither
you nor your passengers make and sudden or undirected movements! The officer does not know who you are or your
intentions.
If you are stopped at night,
turn on your dome lights and show the officer that nothing is
wrong. Having your light on and keeping your hands on the steering
wheel will usually put the officer's mind at a bit more ease,
but he will still be cautious.
- ACTIONS THE OFFICER WILL
TAKE
In almost all cases, the
officer will at a minimum ask for your driver's license. You
are also required to have registration papers and proof of insurance,
so it helps to have it ready as well. It is after the presentation
of the REQUIRED documents that an explanation as to why you were
stopped will be given. While the officer is approaching your
vehicle, do not attempt to reach under your seat, in the glove
compartment, in a console, or any other place hidden from the
officer's view.
The officer will often complete
the contact without requiring you to leave your car. Sometimes
it may be necessary for the officer to ask you to take a seat
in the patrol car. Court cases permit the officer to decide which
procedure is safest for the officer. As you exit your car, always keep your hands in plain view of the
officer.
If a traffic ticket is issued
by the officer, please maintain a polite and cooperative attitude.
Do not attempt to debate the merits of the traffic ticket on
the side of the highway. The court is the proper place to contest
any grievance.
Just because the officer
gives you a ticket does not automatiucally mean you are guilty
or that you have to pay a fine. You have the right to go to court
and to have the judge hear your explanation.
Once the officer gives you
a copy of the traffic ticket, you have been served a summons
(subpoena) to appear in court. Failure to appear on your scheduled
court date is a violation of the law and may result in additional
charges being filed against you.
In nearly all court cases
which a fine is levied, court costs MUST be paid. Even if you
pay the traffic violation fine by mail, the court case must still
be processed through the court system. Therefore, the court cost
must be paid. Court costs help fund the court system. Your local
police department receives a standard amount from a state court
fund is is a standard amount. The City of Fort Thomas does not
benefit more or less whether officers write 100 or 1,000,000
tickets per year, the amount stays the same.
Officers may provide you
with an information sheet explaining the courts mail-in procedures.
The officers do not collect fines.
If you are alone or uncertain
if the police officer trying to stop you is legitamate, pull
over but keep your car doors locked. When your vehicle is approached
by the officer, roll your window down only far enough to talk
to the officer. Express your concern and desire to drive to the
nearest public place. Most police officers will understand. Once
there, remain in your secured vehicle until proper identification
of the officer is made.
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REMEMBER |
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1.) If
you have questions, ask the officer or call your County Prosecuting
Attorney's office. |
3.)
It is best to be calm and identify yourself. |
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2.)
If the police have stopped you, they THINK they have a reason to do so. |
4.)
By yelling or threatening the officer, the BEST
you can do is get yourself arrested.
Don't make the situation worse for you than it already is. |
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HIGHWAY SAFETY FACTS
From the Kentucky Transportation Center, College of Engineering
Traffic Safety issues opinion survey of November 1999.
Safety Belts
59 percent of those surveyed favor changing the current Safety
Belt Law from secondary to primary enforcement.
Motorcycle Helmets
79 percent of those surveyed favor reinstating the requirement
for motorcyclist to wear a helmet.
Alcohol
69 percent of those surveyed favors lowering the Blood Alcohol
Content (BAC) at which a driver is presumed to be driving under
the influence from 0.10 to 0.08. There is a strong support (84
percent) for preventing drivers convicted of more than one DUI
offense from operating their vehicle for the period their license
is revoked.
Drivers Licensing
There was strong support (74 percent in favor) for a vision
test, or proof of a recent eye exam, at license renewal with
the opinion this should apply to all drivers.
There was a strong support (86 percent in favor) for having
a program to identify, and retest drivers with a poor-driving
record.
There was tremendous support (97 percent in favor) for the
restrictions placed on teenage drivers provided under the graduated
driver license program. This support is justified with data,
which have shown a substantial reduction in crashes involving
16-year-old drivers after implementation of the graduated driver
license program. |
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