Question: I was recently pulled over in a traffic stop. The RCMP officer left me in a very dangerous spot to pull back into highway traffic as I was towing a trailer and load. It was a danger for me and other drivers on the highway.
I am wondering if there is an actual statute that confirms "In British Columbia, during a traffic stop, police are required to wait until the driver safely drives away before conducting further actions."
That would ensure that the driver has the opportunity to comply with the officer's request without any immediate danger. The driver's duty is to come to a safe stop when signaled, and the officer must respect this obligation during the stop.
This is like finding a needle in a haystack and I'm hoping that you can help.
Location of the Traffic Stop
Laws or Policies
In my experience, more often than not, the driver that I stopped drove away before I did. I usually sat behind them and wrote my notes before carrying on and they departed during that time.
There is no law or RCMP policy that I am aware of that governs safely concluding a traffic stop. Ditto for municipal police policies as well.
Stopping for Police
Traffic stops are often startling for drivers and they may choose an inappropriate place to pull over. Before continuing with the encounter, I would have them move to a safer location. In addition to keeping us safe during the stop, it was easier for them to leave afterward.
In this case, the driver was able to get out of traffic at a location that appears to provide reasonable vision for overtaking traffic.
It might not be convenient, but the safe way to leave this location would be to use the exit from the freeway and then use the acceleration lane on the other side to get back onto the freeway again.
Request Assistance
If you are concerned about rejoining traffic safely, ask for assistance. The officer can help you get back on your way.
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