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by Tondoteottotote on December 15th, 2005

Tondoteottotote

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Apparently, drivers in the 1930s had to step out of the car every time they got pulled over for any type of moving violation. However, we are now told to stay in the car for a range of minor infractions. When did the rules change and why?

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Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by Anonymous on June 15th, 2006

    Anonymous

    Ever notice how many aggresive drivers are on the road? drunk drivers? drivers on drugs? society has dramatically changed, since the l930s and so has law enforcement's approach to a traffic stop.

    Its called officer safety. by keeping the driver inside his vehicle, the officer has containment and control of the situation. drivers approaching a police vehicle is not a controlled situation.

    Officers keep drivers in their automobile for various other reasons. like, running a record and warrant check and running the registration of the vehicle for stolen.

    Many officers have been assaulted, while sitting in their police vehicle and writing a traffic citation.

    You are the police officer. what would you do in this situation? a car runs a red light. you make a traffic stop for the infraction. you discover the driver is wanted for several armed robberies. would you want this driver, of a red light infraction, approaching your police vehicle?

    Its all about the unknown. more wanted people have been arrested on traffic stops, than any other procedure.

    Today, traffic stops are dangerous, also for the driver of the infraction. on the interstate, leaving your vehicle to approach the officer is dangerous. many drivers have been injured or killed because of this.

    So, as you can see, there are many reasons you are told to stay in your automobile. its not because the police officer is unfriendly. its the safety factor for both you and the officer.

    I wish it were not this way, but the traffic enforcement days of the l930s, are just not safe today. too many cars, too many drunk drivers, and too many criminals that are sharing the road with all of us.





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  • by RJTRIES on March 15th, 2006

    RJTRIES

    There are several reasons, but maybe the two most important reasons are

    1) Safety of the driver: roads today are typically much busier than they were in 1930 and staying in the car makes it easier to protect the driver in question

    2) Safety of the police officer. If you have someone who is seated in their car, they cannot assault the officer stopping them. Cars today are smaller than ever before and agressive movements are easier to telegraph if you're inside your case.

    As for when the rules changed, I don't know exactly because for some states, they made you step out well into the 1970's...that is a question to be answered on a state by state basis

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