POLICE HAVE BROAD POWERS IN DECIDING TO STOP VEHICLES

Q: Are police officers allowed to pull over cars at any time or does
there have to be a specific reason, such as a traffic offence?

A: Police officers have the authority to stop a car at any time to
determine if the driver has consumed alcohol or drugs, to inspect the
mechanical fitness of the vehicle or to ensure the driver is properly
licensed and the vehicle is properly insured. However, the most likely
reason that a police officer will stop a vehicle is for a traffic violation.

Traffic violations generally fall within two main categories. Moving
violations, which are offences committed by the driver such speeding,
stop sign or traffic light infractions to name but three, may result
in either a verbal caution from the officer or a traffic ticket being
given that will involve the assessment of demerit points.

Non-moving violations such as failing to produce a driver's licence,
vehicle registration or insurance documents generally do not involve
demerit points, however, can result in a traffic ticket for the
driver. In addition, some vehicle equipment violations such as broken
or burned out headlights, brake lights, bad mufflers and so on, may
also result in the vehicle being stopped for an inspection. Equipment
violations are the responsibility of both the driver and the owner of
the vehicle even if the owner is not present when the vehicle is
stopped by the officer.

For many reasons, traffic stops are the most dangerous aspect of
police work. More police officers are injured or killed conducting
routine traffic stops than any other function. Officers must interpret
the actions and behaviour of the occupants of the vehicle, as well as
constantly monitoring other traffic.

For these reasons, police officers are trained to make safe vehicle
stops and to follow a set procedure in order to ensure their own
personal safety and the safety of the occupants in the vehicle being
stopped.