Approaching the passenger side also gives you a tactical edge, reminds Corcoran. “Most people expect an officer to approach from the driver’s side, so they keep an eye on their rear-view and driver’s door mirrors watching for you. While their focus is distracted, you have a chance to look inside the vehicle to check for weapons and suspicious movement before they even realize you’re there.”
4. Use your steering wheel as a writing platform.
If you’re writing a ticket while sitting in your driver’s seat, use the wheel as a place to prop your book. “This allows you to quickly glance up at the suspect car to watch for movement and to glance in your interior rear-view mirror [which, he reminds, should be positioned to deflect the sharp glare of oncoming headlights] to keep an eye on oncoming traffic,” says Corcoran. “Granted, you may have mere seconds to react should you see a vehicle headed into yours, but by keeping an eye on oncoming traffic you do increase your odds of spotting a weaving driver from enough of a distance to allow you to take protective action.”
5. Be prepared for wind.
“A big factor in highway patrol is wind,” says Corcoran. “A truck driving by you at a high rate of speed can generate a lot of wind force. You need to be prepared for that.” If you see a truck coming your way, be sure your footing is stabilized to prevent being blown off balance. “The same is true of cars,” Corcoran continues. “Be sure of your footing and be aware that you’re going to need to ride the wind a bit.”
6. Resist retrieval.
“Another issue with highway wind is having your hat blown off, if you’re required to wear one, or having paperwork blown out of your hands,” says Corcoran. “A natural reaction is to quickly move to grab it. On the side of a road, this can be a fatal mistake.” Be mentally prepared to resist the reflex to step out into traffic or bend over to retrieve something that has blown out of your hands or off your head.
7. Consider road conditions.
Wet, slippery roads increase roadside risks. “Although you must always remain intensely observant of your surroundings and vigilant to sound positioning, you should be particularly alert during bad weather,” says Corcoran. “In slippery conditions, you need to weigh the necessity of getting out of your vehicle,” he says. “If you’re approaching a breakdown situation, use your PA to see if the car is able to be move to a safe location, even if it’s limping, or if you can move it with your patrol unit. Stepping out of your car in conditions where passing vehicles may slide into you poses risks that if at all possible, are best avoided.”
Do you have roadside safety tips to share? If so, drop us a note at editor@policeone.com
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