What Do Defensive Driving Courses Teach About Police Interactions?

Defensive driving courses equip drivers with essential skills to stay safe on the road, avoid accidents, and handle unexpected situations—including interactions with law enforcement. These courses emphasize best practices for dealing with police officers during traffic stops to ensure safety, compliance, and respect on both sides. Here’s what defensive driving courses typically teach about police interactions. 1. Remain Calm and Composed One of the first lessons in handling a police stop is to remain calm. Nervous or erratic behavior can escalate the situation. Defensive driving courses encourage drivers to take a deep breath, stay composed, and follow instructions. 2. Pull Over Safely When a police officer signals for you to pull over, it’s crucial to do so promptly but safely. Courses teach drivers to: Use turn signals to indicate their intention. Pull over to the right shoulder or a safe location. Stop the vehicle completely and turn off the engine. 3. Keep Han...