You have probably seen or heard this tip a number of times, but with the recent traffic-related death statistics for officers, I think it needs repeating.
While doing traffic stops, especially on Interstates and other highways, approach the stop vehicle from the passenger side. There are a few reasons for this.
1. Of course being injured or killed by a vehicle speeding past your traffic stop is the primary reason for using the passenger side approach. This method may prove to be safer when protection from passing vehicles is a concern.
2. You can exit your cruiser, walk behind it (so as not to silhouette your body with the cruiser lights), then approach the passenger side of the stop vehicle. If you’re a one-person unit, you can loudly shut your door when exiting the cruiser and then, as you begin your passenger side approach from behind the cruiser, you can also open and loudly shut the passenger cruiser door. This method typically is used at night, on darker roads, since no one in the vehicle can see very well past the “light barrier” created by the cruiser’s many lights.
Hearing the two doors of the cruiser close and making contact from the passenger side of the stop vehicle creates an illusion of a two-officer car.
3. Approaching the stop vehicle’s passenger side may cause subjects to attempt to hide or reach for items which normally would be out of your sight when approaching from the driver’s side, because they think you’re not watching them. Viewing the contents of most vehicle glove boxes may be easier from the passenger side as well.