Minimum distance police must observe before pulling car over?

Question

Is there a minimum distance or length of time that an officer must follow a car and make observation of the vehicle before pulling it over?

The stop was for suspiscion of driving under the influence and the distance was 500 feet from police noticing the vehicle to the traffic stop. The center line was not crossed, no speeding, no stoplight/stop signs or turns, no other traffic or turns/corners.

Answer 1

There is no definite distance, but it really depends on what they are pulling you over for. If they are pulling you over for erratic driving or something like that, they will generally follow for a mile or two. If they are pulling you over for running a red light or not using a turn signal, why would they have to observe any more after you did it?

Generally, though, they will follow behind you for a few seconds to get on the radio and let the dispatcher and other officers know that they are making a traffic stop of whatever kind of vehicle and that location. They also generally run the tag either just before or just after pulling you over, so that takes a few seconds. But mostly, it's just to let other officers know where they will be if they have to call for backup, because a traffic stop can turn ugly real fast.

Answer 2

This depends on what the vehicle is being observed for. For something simple like an obvious traffic violation (running a red light, for example), only the split second observation of the offense is necessary. If an officer is measuring speed by pacing, it can be done in whatever short period is necessary for the officer to match speeds with the violator (usually a few seconds). Radar is pretty much instantaneous for speeding, although many states require a visual estimate of speed to accompany the radar measurement.

Something like DUI, on the other hand, requires a fair number of factors to be observed before sufficient reasonable suspicion builds to make the stop. This can be a fairly rapid process, or may take a mile or two, depending on the circumstances. Of course, in many cases, a minor and indisputable violation is used as the objective reason for the stop (e.g. crossing the center line), rather than the more subjective weaving/slow response to stimuli/etc. Under those circumstances, the stop again becomes instantaneous once a violation is observed.

Answer 3

Although the center line was not crossed was the other white line crossed. Was there a substantial amount of swerving inside the lanes (which is also a sign of DUI)? The minimum distance followed depends greatly on the other circumstances. If this question if for legal purposes and the person driving was you, most states have patrol cars fitted with dash cams and every dui arrest must be on the tape, or a supervisor must be on scene to witness the field sobriety test. If you are going to court on the issue then the tape will more than likely be reviewed by the judge if it is not request that it is.

To more directly answer your question they have to follow you until they witness you commit some sort of violation then they can pull you over.

Answer 4

It varies by state to state. Most states require an officer must have probable cause to make a traffic stop. In the state I live, and work, there is no distance provided in statutes.

Answer 5

No minimum at all. Once the offense is committed, you are done. Having a minimum endangers people. If I had to follow a drunk for a specified distance, he might crash or kill someone before the "minimum distance" was met.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Nope.

Each situation is different and may require more or less observation. Someone who's totally tanked could crash in 10 meters. Doesn't mean you don't have a case.

Answer 8

There is no minimum distance. we see you do it and that's it. Don't have to keep following you after the offense is commited.

Answer 9

Not usuaully...but many will use 3-4 telephone polls to get a good judge of your speed increase compared to their speedometers/

Answer 10

No they can follow you for as long or as little as is needed.