Traffic stop safety reminders to keep you, police safe during peak travel season
JACKSON, Tenn. — With traffic increasing this time of year, we have some traffic stop reminders and tips to keep you and law enforcement safe.
Earlier this week, three officers with the Jackson Police Department were struck during a traffic stop.
The officers thankfully only had minor injuries, however it’s a reminder that even traffic stops require extra attention and care.
Traffic Officer Daniel Vandiver with the JPD says to find a safe place to pull over and also indicate to the officer that you are pulling over by using your blinker.
“If it’s fairly close to where the officer is trying to stop you then by all means put your blinker on. Give them that notification that you are trying to pull over and that you’re not trying to run from them. It is always better on everyone if there is a safer place to pull over versus the side of the road,” said Vandiver.
He also warns of higher traffic near Vann Drive and The Columns. Officer Vandiver says to be aware and pull over on the right side of the road if you are being stopped.
“There’s a lot of pedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic, so sometimes drivers tend to stop in the roadway or pull to the left. The main thing to remember is to always pull to the right-hand side of the road when you see approaching blue lights especially if you are getting pulled over, and if you are able to get off the road into a parking lot that’s even better,” said Vandiver.
Officer Vandiver urges drivers to slow down when they see another driver pulled over.
“Slow down. Give them enough space which also gives them space to get around. Be mindful of officers in and out of their vehicle,” said Vandiver.
Tennessee has a Move Over Law, which states that drivers must move over when safe to do so or slow down for emergency vehicles.
With the extra holiday traffic through the end of the year JPD urges drives to use caution and look out for their officers when they see them.
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