Criminal Justice Traffic Safety Quiz

​When an officer performs a vehicle stop for a traffic infraction, prior to the officer exiting the police vehicle, the first action of the officer should be to advise the dispatcher of their location and the tag number of the vehicle. TRUE FALSE

​Officers must always approach the violator on the passenger side of the vehicle. TRUE FALSE

​For officer safety reasons, officers should always have the driver exit the vehicle when the driver has committed a minor traffic violation.

TRUE FALSE

​Officers are only required to perform a “pat down,” before placing a handcuffed suspect who is under arrest in the back of the police vehicle.

TRUE FALSE

​Officers are required to identify themselves to traffic violators and to inform them of the reason for the traffic stop.

TRUE FALSE

​During a felony stop, (high-risk) officers should keep their index finger ON the trigger at all times in case the suspect makes a sudden move.

TRUE FALSE

​Officers should make contact with the violator’s vehicle trunk or back hatch as they approach the vehicle they have stopped for an infraction.

TRUE FALSE

​Officers should use loud verbal commands when directing and ordering vehicle drivers and passengers out of the vehicle during a felony (high- risk) stop, as the officer remains in a safe position next to the police vehicle. TRUE FALSE

​When conducting high-risk, felony traffic stops, both the primary officer and the backup officer should shout out commands to the driver and passengers at the same time.

TRUE FALSE

​When searching a suspect in custody, the officer’s weapon should always be holstered.

TRUE FALSE

​Suspects will often hide weapons and contraband between their legs because they believe officers may be hesitant to search sensitive areas. TRUE FALSE

​Handcuffs cannot be “locked,” to prevent them from tightening once they are placed on the suspect’s wrist.

TRUE FALSE

​Pennsylvania v. _____________ holds that a police officer can lawfully order a person out of the vehicle after a lawful traffic stop and conduct a pat down to check for weapons. The court ruled that this did not violate the 4 th Amendment.

​___________________ v ______________________ “bright-line rule,” held that a police officer may order the passenger(s) of a lawfully stopped vehicle to exit the vehicle.

​______________ _______________ is a traffic violation that is witnessed by a police officer that warrants (justifies) a traffic stop.

​________________ ________________ is a violation that the officer observes but for which the officer cannot initiate the traffic stop. These offenses include a tag light out, dark window tint, etc.

​Virginia Traffic Codes fall under Section: a. 59.5 b. 46.2 c. 23.5 d. 10.6

​Virginia Administrative Codes fall under Section: a. 19.2 b. 12.5 c. 109.5 d. 15.00

​Virginia Criminal Codes fall under Section: a. 12.5 b. 13.3 c. 14.6 d. 18.2

​Name the Supreme Court Case that is known as the “Caroll Doctrine,” and briefly explain the ruling