Holiday Traveling: What to Do If Stopped by Police

   During the Holiday Season, many people travel to visit their family and friends.  Law enforcement is especially active during the holiday season protecting the roadways from unsafe drivers.  They are on the lookout for expired registration, burned out headlights/taillights, speeding drivers, texting while driving, no seatbelts and signs of intoxicated driving.  While on the road there are several rules you should follow if you ever have an encounter with law enforcement.  
   If an officer initiates a traffic stop, make sure you pull over somewhere safe and completely off the road.  This could help to protect both your family and the officer from another driver causing an accident.   
   The officer does not know the driver they have stopped and must proceed with extreme caution during every traffic stop.  They don’t know if the car’s passengers are a nice family rushing to a holiday dinner or a criminal who would want to cause them harm.  
   If it is night, turn on your overhead interior lights.  This will allow an approaching officer to see inside the car and determine that you are not a threat.
   Wait in your car, roll down your window and place your hands on the top of the steering wheel.  Law enforcement officers are taught to watch the hands of someone they have contact with.  If your hands are empty and in plain sigh ...

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