Traffic Stop Procedures and Common Violations

Sergeant Greg Plummer Oregon State Police- Tillamook Worksite

What should a new driver expect during a traffic stop?

• The State Police uses a technique called Verbal Judo.

• This consists of an eight step tactical approach to a traffic stop.

The Eight Step Tactical Approach

• Appropriate Greeting• Identify Yourself and Your Department• Explain the Reason for the Stop• Ask for any Legal Justification• Ask for Driver’s License/Identification• Ask for Registration and Proof of Insurance• Decide on Action• Close Appropriately

The Five Step Hard Style

• Ask: Make an ethical appeal, not command• Set Context: Explain why you want them to do

what you are asking• Present Options: Give them choices and make

them feel as though they are deciding to do what you are asking.

• Confirm: Compliance or Non-Compliance• Act: Disengage or take appropriate

enforcement action

OSP’s Fatal Five

The leading causes of fatal traffic crashes. Remembered using the acronym SOLID

-Speed-Occupant Safety-Lane Usage-Impaired Driving-Distracted Driving

Speed

• We Cite for Violation of the Basic Rule which means traveling at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent taking all existing conditions into consideration.

• VBR can change from one stop to the next based on traffic flow, weather conditions, time of day, etc.

• Fines are based on speed over what is posted.

Speeding

100 mph or greater VBR

Can rise to the level of Reckless Driving depending on the conditions. Presumptive fine is $1,150 and a license suspension upon conviction of 30-90 days.

Occupant Safety

Failure to Drive Within Lane

-Wide radius turns-Unable to maintain a single lane of travel

Failure to Drive Within Lane

Impaired Driving

Distracted Driving

Common Violations

Not included in the Fatal Five:

-Following Too Closely- One of the most common violations observed in newly licensed drivers.

-Unsafe Passing-Unsignalled Turns and Lane Changes

Following Too Closely

Rear end crashes often result in citations for Following Too Closely- the following driver was too close to react to what was happening in front of them.

At these speeds:

75 MPH65 MPH55 MPH45 MPH35 MPH

A person is traveling:

109.95 FPS95.29 FPS80.63 FPS65.97 FPS51.31 FPS

Perception/Reaction Time

Daylight unimpaired = 1.5 Seconds

Driver at 55 mph travels approximately 120 feet before reacting

Perception/Reaction Time

Night unimpaired = 2.5 Seconds

Driver at 55 mph travels approximately 200 feet before reacting

Unsafe Passing

Can involve passing in no passing areas, or when oncoming traffic or other hazards make it unsafe to do so.

Unsafe/Unsignaled Turns

Some additional violations

Speed Racing- Can be a display of speed, a race, an acceleration contest, or simply a vehicle trying to arrive at a certain point ahead of another vehicle.Careless Driving- Driving in a manner that is likely to endanger persons or propertyReckless Driving- A step up from Careless Driving (must prove recklessness)

Alcohol related violations

Minor in Possession- By actual possession or consumption. Sent to juvenile court if the person is under 18.MIP While Driving- Conviction carries a fine and a license suspension of up to one year.Open Container- Inside the vehicle within reach of the occupants.

Instructional Permit Violations

• Instructional Permit requiring valid driver as passenger- sometimes find IP drivers traveling alone, or without a valid qualified driver with them. Results in citation for No Operator’s License.

Provisional License Violations

• We often encounter violations of the requirement that the newly licensed juvenile driver cannot operate for the first six months with a passenger under 20 years of age who is not a member of their immediate family, or that for the second six months they may not carry more than three passengers under 20 not members of their immediate family.

Provisional Continued

• We also encounter violations of the curfew (between 12:00am and 5:00am) for the first year a juvenile has their license, not counting the exceptions

• Results in Citation for No Valid Operator’s License (the circumstances make their license invalid)

Questions?

Sergeant Greg Plummer

Oregon State Police- Tillamook Worksite

greg.plummer@state.or.us

(503)815-3372