Watauga County Sheriff FAQ

Vehicle stops are one of the most dangerous times for a law enforcement officer because they do not know who is in the vehicle, whether or not the occupants have weapons, and whether or not the occupants are fugitives that do not want to be caught .  Law enforcement officers take many precautions to ensure their safety, but it makes things much safer and smoother if the persons being stopped realize the dangers that the officers face, every day.  If you are stopped by a Deputy or other law enforcement officer there are several things you should keep in mind in order to prevent a high stress situation. 

First, when you see the blue lights behind you, do not slam on your brakes.  Slow down gradually and use your turn signals to indicate that you acknowledge that the law enforcement officer is behind you. 

Safely pull out of the roadway far enough to avoid traffic and to give the law enforcement officer enough room to interact with you.

Put your vehicle in "Park" and engage the emergency brake and then slowly roll down your driver side window.

Do not dig through your passenger compartment looking for your license and registration before the officer arrives at your window. 

Keep your hands on the steering wheel during the interaction and only retrieve your license and/or registration when the officer asks.  When the officer does ask for those items, look for them slowly and do not make sudden, abrupt movements. 

If you follow these simple guidelines when pulled over it will make the overall vehicle stop much smoother.