If a law enforcement officer suspects that a motorist is breaking the law, he or she will use lights and sirens to indicate that the driver must pull over for a traffic stop. If the police officer suspects the driver of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, he or she may ask the driver to participate in a field sobriety test or take a breathalyzer test. If the officer suspects that weapons, illegal drugs, or other contraband are in the vehicle, he or she may conduct a search of the vehicle. There are certain things that a driver should never do during a traffic stop as well as steps that drivers should always take. It is important to remember that you have certain rights during traffic stops, and doing the following may help you avoid criminal charges:
Pull Over Immediately
Being pulled over by a police officer is often the last thing you want to deal with. However, traffic stops are not optional. The Illinois Vehicle Code states that if a driver receives a “visual or audible signal” by a police officer to stop his or her vehicle and fails to do so, he or she may be charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail.
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