If You Are Being Pulled Over And An Officer Is Approaching Your Car
- Stay in your vehicle and keep your hands visible.
- If it is dark outside turn on your interior vehicle light.
- Follow the directions of the police officer.
- Florida law requires drivers to show their license, registration and proof of insurance upon request from a police officer.
- Be honest with the police and ask for an explanation if something is unclear.
- If you are issued a citation, accept it even if you dont agree with it. Accepting the citation is not an admission of guilt and you will have the opportunity to contest the citation in court after the fact.
What Happens If A Police Officer Stops Your Vehicle
What to do if you are stopped by Police:
Why did you stop me?
Moving violations are the most common reason that a vehicle is stopped. Some examples include speeding offenses, failure to stop at a stop light or sign, failure to use a signal, failure to drive within marked lanes, expired vehicle inspection, or defective equipment.
Why did the Officer…
Vehicle Searches:
Did You Know…
If There Is An Error On Your Car Insurance Card
Have you recently changed your address or is there a typo in your VIN number? You need to have your proof of insurance updated. Contact your insurance agent, sign into your online policy, or call your carrier’s customer service number and get your proof updated. A wrong VIN number can cause the most problems when getting your license plates renewed and dealing with a police officer.
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How To Read Whats In A Police Report
Each state has its version of a police accident report or crash report. As soon as possible after a collision, request a copy of the report. It could be the most important piece of evidence in your settlement negotiations.
Be sure you get a final copy of the report. In accidents involving fatalities, or pending drug or alcohol testing from the hospital, the crash report will be amended to include vital information as it becomes available.
Review the police report carefully. It will contain several important facts, like driver names and insurance companies, as well as the officers opinion on who was at fault for the crash.
Police reports include basic facts about the accident, such as:
- Date, time, and location of the crash
- Weather, visibility, and road conditions at the scene
- Make, model, year, and VIN of the vehicles involved
- Driver addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information
- Passenger information, including which car they were in and where they were seated
- Short description of injuries to drivers and passengers
- Drawn diagram of the accident and where the vehicles ended up
Elements of the police report that help prove liability include:
- Description and location of damage to each vehicle
- Witness names and information
- Driver alcohol levels
- Officers opinion of fault and cause of the crash
The officers written opinion on how the accident happened and whos at fault may be in a section of the report titled Contributing Factors.
Certification For First Aid And Cpr
As a part of your training in the police academy, you are taught how to provide first aid. However, they do not certify you. If you want, you could choose to complete a more comprehensive course of first aid and thus achieve a certification for it. This will be useful for other jobs as well later in your life. It also enables you to provide better care to someone in need. You could also try and get a certificate of CPR in the same way.
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If Another Driver Hit You Heres How To Get Their Insurance Information
Following a car accident, every driver involved is required to make sure the other drivers are safe, contact the police, and share their drivers license information with each other. However, California law does not require drivers to share insurance information, which is vital if any of them wish to file an auto accident claim against the other.
This means that a driver may refuse to give you his insurance. In addition, in a hit-and-run accident, you will be left wondering if the other driver even has insurance and how you can file a claim. But you still have options.
Ask An Attorney About Assessing Fault
Laws regarding fault vary from state to state. Most states have “at-fault” laws, while a few others have “no-fault” laws. States also vary in the way they treat negligence, which is a type of fault. It’s crucial to understand state law before fault can be assessed.
Meet with a local car accident attorney to learn more about fault, insurance claims, and your legal options after a vehicle accident.
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How To Become A Police Officer In Canada & Disqualifiers To Avoid
Choosing a new career , can be an overwhelming process. Opportunities are endless in a country like Canada. Its not easy figuring out which direction to take in the first place.
Canadian Business helps you narrow down your options with a list of The Top 25 Jobs in Canada. And were here to help you break down #14 on that list: police officer.
Being a police officer comes with great responsibility, authority, and trust. Therefore strict standards are upheld in the selection process to ensure only the right candidates are hired. This process typically includes:
- A written exam
- Have no criminal convictions and no criminal charges pending
In addition to the above list, each police force adds its own list of requirements.
Those applying for the RCMP need to meet the following additional requirements:
- Permanent resident applicants need to have resided in Canada for the last 10 years.
- Be at least 19 years old
- Possess a valid, unrestricted driver’s licence
- Be able to spend 26 weeks at the RCMP Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan
- Be willing to relocate anywhere within Canada
- Not have any tattoos that depict or incite hate, harassment, or discrimination against individuals on the basis of the grounds listed in Canadian Human Rights Act, section 3.
- Not wear any personal effects on the body that may interfere with the personal protective equipment.
The Vancouver Police Department asks that their applicants meet the following additional requirements:
Do Police Officers Always Call Your Insurer
In many cases, a police officer will not call your insurer to verify insurance information. If you have documentation showing you have a policy from your insurer, and that policy is active within the stated dates, then the police officer will accept that documentation as proof of insurance.
If the officer is suspicious, however, or believes you are committing insurance fraud, then the officer may call your insurer to verify your policy. If you have faked documentation, then you could face severe penalties.
In other cases, however, the police officer will never call your insurer to verify the information. If you have documentation proving you have an active policy, then the officer may believe you.
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Do Police Use Alpr Systems When Checking On Proof Of Insurance
Automated license plate reader systems are camera systems installed on street poles, street lights, and other relevant locations. ALPRs collect data on vehicles, focusing on the license plate numbers and tags them with geolocation and timestamp data.
Police in states like Texas and Virginia have successfully used this technology to reduce the number of uninsured drivers, so ALPRs can and often are used to check and track the status of insurance for drivers and vehicles on the road.
How Does License Plate Scanning Work
Both manual entry scanning and constant camera scanning may be used by police, depending on where youre traveling. Manual entry systems require police to enter the digits of your license plate into an on-car computer, while constant camera scanning systems automatically capture license plate information, as well as the location, time, and date of the scan.
These types of automated license plate readers, also known as ALPRs, are cameras that can be:
- Mounted on police squad cars
- Fixed at certain locations, such as on road signs or bridges
- Attached to movable objects, such as surveillance vans
- Used as mobile devices, such as ones used by on-street cops
While this technology is the center of the debate, ALPR devices have nevertheless helped police identify and penalize uninsured motorists.
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The Process Works Like This:
Step 1) You are pulled over by a police officer
Step 2) The police officer requests proof of insurance
Step 3) You provide proof of insurance documentation to the police officer
Step 4) The police officer checks your proof of insurance documentation, verifies the name and date, then hands it back if everything is in order
If the officer suspects you do not have insurance, or if the officer believes the document is fake, then the officer may call your insurer to verify your policy.
Alternatively, in some states, the officer may not need to call your insurer to verify your policy status instead, your insurance status is connected to your license plate, and the police officer already knows whether or not you have insurance.
Does A Written Warning Go On Your Record
A written warning ticket for a traffic violation may show up on your driver abstract. The abstract keeps a record of all your citations, tickets, convictions, license suspensions, reinstatements, etc. These may stay on your record for 3 years and also shows details of the location and date that you got the warning ticket. If you drive commercially then your vehicle may have a National Safety Code number. In such a case all warning tickets may go on your driver abstract as well as the carrier profile of the company you drive for.
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How License Plate Insurance Detection Helps Drivers
State-imposed car insurance requirements arent in place to drain your bank account or put you in an orange jumpsuit.
In fact, car insurance requirements are designed to provide you and your fellow drivers with financial assistance in the event of an accident. With plate scanning systems, cops can ensure all drivers are covered, which can help you save both time and money.
With electronic insurance detection, police can:
- Get you back on the road more quickly Because officers can access your insurance information before they approach your car, they spend less time reviewing and confirming your insurance status during a traffic stop.
- Ensure fewer risky drivers A recent study showed that uninsured drivers exhibit riskier behavior and are about 36% more likely to cause an accident than an insured driver.
- Drive down your insurance rates The number of uninsured drivers in your location is a factor that can drive up your own insurance costs, so efforts to detect and decrease non-compliance are in your best interest.
License To Enforce Law
Obviously, the main license required by a police officer is to be one. To become a police officer, you first need a minimum of an associates degree or at least 2 years of college education. After this, you need to fill out an application form to get admitted into the long admission process.
This consists of physical, mental, emotional, psychological and medical tests. There are also other kinds of tests involved to see if you are fit for the job. You are then accepted into the police academy where you are taught a variety of skills required for the job. After graduating, you are a licensed law enforcer. However, you are put on a short lease called the probation period. To know more about how to become a police officer, please refer to the other articles on our website.
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How Can You Avoid This Situation In The Future
Not all car crashes are avoidable. However, you can prevent getting the runaround in future accidents by taking a few steps.
Here are the steps to take after being in a car accident to help you in the future:
- Make sure you get all of the information for any other involved drivers when you are in a car accident. Get their name, phone number, policy number, agent name and number, the name of the company, vehicle year make and model, and license plate number. With all of this, you should be able to easily contact their insurance company.
- Instead of writing down their policy details, take pictures after a car accident of their insurance card and vehicles with your phone. Be sure to take pictures of both front and back and note whether or not the date on the card is current. Offer to let the other driver take a picture of your ID card as well as a sign of good faith.
- Always file a police report when possible. Since the police are required to take down the insurance information of both drivers, you have a guaranteed source of accurate identification. The police report also details who is at fault in an accident, which is very useful when you need to file a claim.
Although being in a car accident is stressful, there are certain steps you can take at the scene to make things go as smoothly as possible.
Once you know that everyone is okay, call the police, take pictures of the cars and insurance cards, and determine how to get home. Everything else can be figured out later.
Other Bases For Car Searches
Even without an arrest, an officer who sees, hears, or smells something suspicious during a traffic stop can probably search the car. And if the police conduct a traffic stop and arrest and frisk the driver, and thereby find contraband, they can likely move on to search the vehicle.
Further, police officers can often search cars after arrest pursuant to the inventory search exception.
In addition, when they don’t or aren’t sure they have a legal basis for a search, officers often use the driver’s consent as a basis to search.
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When Can The Police Search Your Car
People often ask me under what circumstances are police allowed to search their car. They are usually wondering about searches made during stops for speeding or other traffic code violations.
Generally, a warrant is required to search your property. However, there are exceptions for automobiles. The main rationale for the exceptions is that since cars are mobile, they will be gone before an officer can get a warrant to search from a judge. A secondary rationale is that since cars are on public streets, drivers should have a reduced expectation of privacy compared to their homes.
So, when can a police officer legally search your car?
Because An Officer Wants To
Unfortunately, an officer may illegally search a car and falsely justify the search with one of the exceptions listed above. A good lawyer can help litigate an illegal search and try to keep improperly seized evidence from being used against a defendant.
For informational purposes only. Always consult a reputable lawyer for advice on your case.
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Get A Copy Of The Police Report
Within a few days after the accident, the police report should be complete. Some jurisdictions make crash reports public record, and some states limit access to the involved drivers, the drivers representatives, and the drivers insurance companies.
Your car accident paperwork wont be complete without a copy of the police accident report. The report can have a huge impact on the outcome of your injury claim. Its important to carefully read the report to spot any errors.
Contact your own insurance company to ask for a copy of the report. When a claim is opened, one of the first things an adjuster will do is request an official copy of the report. If its available, the claims adjuster should be willing to send you a free copy.
For a small fee, you can request a copy of the accident report directly from the law enforcement agency that investigated the accident. Most agencies now handle accident report requests online, or you can call the police department for instructions.
To get a copy of the police report, youll need:
Auto Insurance For Personal Vehicles Owned By Police Officers
When you are off duty and using your personal vehicles, you will need a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds your states minimum required limits, just like any other driver.
While there are not any insurance companies that sell insurance specifically for off-duty officers, there are several companies that offer discounts for law enforcement officers. Additionally, insurance companies may ask for your occupation when you ask for a quote. Police officers may be viewed as safer drivers, since insurance companies know that they understand the rules of the road and have had extensive driving training. When off duty, this means officers may be less likely to cause accidents or file claims.
When you are shopping for coverage, you may want to ask each insurance agent if their company offers law enforcement discounts on insurance. You may be able to save money simply by being a police officer.
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