What To Do When Pulled Over

Farmington, Mo. (KFMO) - The vast majority of drivers have been pulled over by a police officer at least once, but plenty still do not know what to do when they are pulled over.

A traffic stop is often not only stressful for the driver, but the officer as well. A fear of the unknown can put both on edge.

When an officer signals to pull over, the driver should first pull to as far as possible to the right of the traveled portion of the roadway and stop when the police car approaches.

Farmington Police Lt. Jeff Crites, speaking at the most recent Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon, says the most important thing is to not panic. 

The driver should keep their hands visible at all times while putting the car in park and turning down all audio sources.

The Farmington Police Department conducted 5054 traffic stops in Fiscal Year 2022, or about 14 stops per day. In 2023, the department conducted 4278 traffic stops, or about 12 stops per day. The most common cause of an issued citation was failure to show proof of insurance.