Common Sense and Courtesy
By J.B. Blocker
With all the furor generated on the social media
concerning the shooting of a man during a traffic stop, it occurred to me that
many don’t seem to know how to behave if they are stopped!
To me it seemed that logic and courtesy were all that was necessary in order to make the stop as safe and painless as it could be considering the circumstances!
To me it seemed that logic and courtesy were all that was necessary in order to make the stop as safe and painless as it could be considering the circumstances!
I began my research by calling the ‘Best of the Best’ to help me get this right. These friends have served for years in several branches of Texas law enforcement. They include Sheriff Harold Eavenson the VP of the National Sheriffs Association, Carrollton Chief of Police Rex Redden, Director of the Texas Border Sheriffs Association Don Reay, Senate Candidate and past Top Texas Game Warden Peter Flores, Howe Chief of Police and License To Carry instructor Carl Hudman, and former Texas Highway Patrol/Texas Ranger Lee Young and Sheriff David Byrne to help sort out what rules have been approved and practiced by their various departments.
Of course I might add that when Game Wardens and Texas
Rangers make a stop, it is rarely for a traffic or vehicle violation.
I did a lot of listening as they guided me through not
only the regulations but also the reasoning behind the suggested actions for
the officer and the driver. With their help I have compiled a 2017 Drivers Traffic Stop Protocol that
should be an aid to the well being of the driver and officer alike.
It really
boils down to common sense and courtesy. To which I respond, “Common sense
seems to be a missing ingredient to a lot of people. Especially when they are
being pulled over!”
Since I took my license exam in the 70’s, I wasn’t really sure what the rules are on a Texas Driver’s License Exam. So let’s start there!
