Stopping on the left

[supton]

It's been a long time since I was in driver's ed; maybe I was sleeping? But I thought if stopped by the police you were supposed to pull over to the right. I've noticed more and more vehicles stopping on the left lately (on the highway that is). Sometimes it's for a flat, more often it's because of being stopped by the police.

It sorta makes sense, if you get nabbed while in the high speed lane; I mean, safer for the officer to stand in the shoulder while talking, rather than next to the road.

Am I remembering driver's ed wrong?

 

[eljefino]

I could plausibly understand it on a 4+ lane (per direction) highway with a paved median and simple guardrail. People also use the fake-median between the HOV lane and high speed lane. I think in peoples' minds they just need to get out of the way of that cop "who's chasing someone else" and are then surprised when the cop stops behind them.

If it were up to me, I'd not encourage it, but not ticket it if safe.

 

[supton]

I drive quite a bit on highway, 2+ lanes each way, so I've seen it a number of times.

This morning I was reminded it was a question in my mind; saw a trooper on the left with someone. Then realized the person had a flat tire. On the right side of the car. It was completely flat, so I don't think they got pulled over as a courtesy ("Sir, you have a half-flat tire, I pulled you over for your safety"). Didn't look like a blowout but maybe it went really fast, dunno.

 

[dlundblad]

I've not seen them on the left, but I have seen them on the right side reaching in through the passenger side window. Mostly with semis, but occasionally cars as well.

 

[dparm]

Cops are taught to offset-park their vehicle from the one they pull over for protection, if possible.

That being said, I was always taught to pull onto the shoulder (the right-hand side).

 

[Rand]

I've seen people stop pretty much anywhere.. in turn lanes at 6 lane intersections etc.

Why not just drive on 300ft and pull in a parking lot???

Highway I'd agree right side is best.. unless there is no shoulder there.

 

[BISCUT]

Most cops are not tactically sound with their vehicle placement. The cop car should be offset to the left of the target vehicle with a safe space between the two with tires turned out. Most often the cops are right up on your [censored] more concerned with contraband than safety. Part of the gig.

Best thing to do is pull safely to right as far off as you can realistically get. Not around corners, or other obstructions. Many of the wiser patrol cops will cross on approach and come to passenger side. Best is to have your hands on the wheel and let the cop worry about what side he comes to.