When must you stop your vehicle?
In the following scenarios, you must come to a complete stop:
- If you are caught up in an accident that results in property damage or injuries.
- At a red light
- If the police or the DVSA request you to do so
If you’re involved in an accident that causes damage or injury
If you cause damage or harm to another person, vehicle, animal, or property as a result of an accident, you must do the following:
- Stop
- Give your and the car owner’s names and addresses, as well as the vehicle’s registration number, to anybody who has acceptable grounds for doing so.
- If you did not provide your name and address at the time of the accident, report it to the police as soon as possible, and in any event within 24 hours.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency stopping procedures
In England and Wales, DVSA officers have the authority to stop vehicles on all roadways, including motorways and trunk routes. They will catch your attention by flashing amber lights:
- either from the front, requesting that you accompany them to a safe stopping point
- or from behind, pointing and/or using the left indicator to advise you to pull over to the side.
Failure to follow their instructions is a crime.
Police stopping procedures
If the cops wish to stop your car, they will, if feasible, draw your attention by:
- Generally from behind, flashing blue lights, headlights, or sounding their siren or horn
- Pointing and/or utilising the left indicator to direct you to pull over to the side
You MUST then pull over and come to a complete stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Then turn off your engine.
Traffic officer stopping procedures
Only in England do traffic officers have the authority to halt vehicles on most motorways and some ‘A’ class highways. If a traffic police in uniform wishes to halt your vehicle for safety reasons (e.g., an unsafe load), he or she will, whenever feasible, draw your attention to the situation by:
- Flashing amber lights, typically coming from behind
- Pointing and/or utilising the left indicator to direct you to pull over to the side
You MUST then pull over and come to a complete stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Then turn off your engine.
Traffic light signals and traffic signs
All traffic light signals and traffic signs, including temporary signals and signs, must be obeyed. Additionally, ensure that you understand and comply with any other traffic and information signs and road markings.
