Rules surrounding traffic stops in Hawaii
If a law enforcement official believes you are not following the law while driving, he or she can pull you over and initiate a traffic stop. When you get pulled over by law enforcement , you have certain rights.
During a traffic stop, police must adhere to correct procedures to lawfully complete this process. If the officer conducting the stop does not follow these procedures, any evidence collected may not hold up in a court of law.
Initiating the traffic stop
The Honolulu Police Department states that when law enforcement officials want to initiate a traffic stop, they must first use their vehicle’s flashing blue light and siren to alert you to their intentions. To protect the safety of everyone involved, law enforcement officials must direct all affected automobiles to the right side of the road.
Approaching the vehicle
When approaching the stopped vehicle, law enforcement officials must treat the vehicle’s occupants with courtesy and respect. At this point, law enforcement officials should identify themselves, provide their reasoning for the stop and request relevant information from the vehicle’s operator.
Issuing a citation
While issuing a ticket, law enforcement officials should provide a reason for the citation. They should also answer any questions the vehicle operator might have at this point.
Officers must have a reason to pull you over and conduct a traffic stop. Although you could be at risk of receiving a ticket after you get pulled over, the law enforcement official must adhere to this procedure to correctly conduct the process.
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