As a tourist driving in America I have no idea what is the signal from a cop car if they want you to pull over. Do they overtake you and sign for you to pull up or sound their horn or what?Thanks.
2007-01-17 05:34:58 · 21 answers · asked by insp.clouseau 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
When he turns his flashing lights on that means pull over.
2007-01-17 05:39:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Please ignore the crackpots. Police in different areas of the country use different colored lights (red and/or blue, yellow lights are simply warning lights) in a variety of arrays. These lights can flash or not flash. They can be displayed anywhere on the vehicle.
As a tourist, unfamiliar with police procedures here, simply pull to the right side of the road and stop any time you see a vehicle displaying an unusual light. This is required regardless of whether the vehicle behind you is a police vehicle or any other emergency vehicle. If it is a police officer, he will pull to the side of the road behind you. If not, let the vehicle pass. Then, carefully re-enter the roadway and continue on your way.
If you fail to pull over for a police officer because you don't see him, you aren't sure it's the police or you aren't sure he/she is after you he/she will make his intentions clear by sounding his siren and/or establishing visual contact. Some agencies will also give verbal commands over a loud speaker system.
One other thing you should be aware of is overtaking a stopped emergency vehicle with its warning lights on. When passing them, move as far to the left as you can safely. On a multi-lane highway (multiple lanes going the same direction), using your turn signal first, move into the lane on your left. This is not only a good idea, but is now required in many states.
I'm not sure where you are coming from, but the procedure is fairly universal and shouldn't present any problems for you.
Enjoy your visit and spend lots of money while you're here.
.
2007-01-17 09:21:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually when a police officer wants to stop you he will get your attention by flashing his emergency lights, followed by sounding his horn or his siren. Usually, in most cases this would be successful.
In the case the officer is on foot patrol he may make a verbal command or use a whistle to ones gain use attention.
I do recall a legendary case one time when a well known TV personality was stopped by a motorcycle officer. When the officer approached the gentleman's sports car they had a problem communicating. The TV stars had the windows up on his rag top and kept saying that he couldn't hear the officer.
The officer proceeded back to his cycle and return with his night stick and asked if he could hear him now. Apparently there was still a communication problem. So the officer jabbed the stick through the roof of the convertible. "Can you hear me now", say the officer and suddenly the avenues of communication were connected.
True story. Later the officer retired as a Homicide Detective: SCPD and a legend in the department.
2007-01-17 06:36:24 · answer #3 · answered by Sgt 524 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Blue lights are a good indicator, sometimes blue and red. Check the top of the car, the dash, or the grill. If they have to get on the PA System and hollar at you, you've blown it. If a helicopter starts circling, they insist!
Watch out driving through small towns. There are these things called speed-traps, that is when the hwy m.p.h. change from 70 to 25 in a flash.
Each State, City, Town, Burg has it's own little set of rules.
Good Luck & Blessings
2007-01-17 05:49:06 · answer #4 · answered by Wood Smoke ~ Free2Bme! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of these responses are correct, but it's worth noting that in the US, a police car won't typically overtake you unless you've failed to stop for some distance and are about to be forced off the road. If they want you to pull over, they'll be behind you with their lights and possibly siren on.
2007-01-17 05:46:30 · answer #5 · answered by Jeffrey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many different police jurisdictions in the United States employ different colors for different emergency services. However...best way to remember is this...
POLICE... will have blue OR blue with a combination of other colors such as blue, white, and/or red.
RESCUE... or ambulance services....red OR red with a combination of red or white.
FIRE.....Red OR a combination of red with white.
Police well engage their emergency lighting equipment and either sound their horn or siren. Immediately pull SAFELY to the right side of the roadway OFF the roadway and stop!
You don't say where you are visiting from, however, the colors signifying police, fire, and rescue are pretty much international!
Hope you enjoy your visit!
2007-01-17 06:08:07 · answer #6 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you see a police car behind you with its roof lights flashing and/or the siren sounding pull over immediately and stop.
If the police officer overtakes and motions for you to pull over, immediately pull over and stop.
Where are you from? Don't most countries have police cars with roof lights?
2007-01-17 06:02:05 · answer #7 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are behind you and their red and blue lights are flashing, that means pull to the side of the road. They may be wanting to pull you over, or they may be going to an emergency and want you to get out of the way. Either way, if you see red and blue flashing lights on the car behind you, pull to the side of the road. Really, pull over for just red flashing lights too. That would be an ambulance or firetruck wanting you out of the way also.
2007-01-17 05:44:11 · answer #8 · answered by The Maestro 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The lights and sirens should be a clue. You will know. No worries. Mind your business and do what professional criminals do.
Drive in the right hand lane unless passing or making a left hand turn. Drive 5 miles an hour slower than the posted speed limit. Drive sober and with your seat belt on. When driving focus only on driving: no cell phone, no sex, and do not pass Go until you've collected $200.
You should be fine.
2007-01-17 05:50:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you see the bright red and blue lights flashing right behind you and the care behind you stays with you for a distance, it is time to pull over.
Or, after you have been driving with those flashing lights behind you for a while, if you suddenly feel your tires go flat. THat might be a good time to pull over...Just keep your hands on the wheel though in that situation.
2007-01-17 05:42:04 · answer #10 · answered by deftonehead778 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Flashing Lights means pull over. Even if you are not getting pulled over, it is wise to at least get out of the way. If the polceman follows you as you yield the right of way to them, then you are pulled over. Stop, hold your hands up so that they are visible, and be nice.
2007-01-17 05:46:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋