When a cop puts their hand on the back of your car (usually the taillight/trunk area), it's a standard, long-standing safety protocol to ensure the trunk is securely closed (no one hiding to ambush them) and to leave their fingerprints as evidence if the situation escalates, linking them to the vehicle and providing proof they were there. It's a subtle way to assess the scene, startle occupants slightly, and create a physical record for officer safety, even with modern tech like body cameras.
The main reason is to ensure the boot is fully closed and nobody is going to jump out of it and cause harm to the officer. You'll find they mainly touch the boot of a car.
Tapping or touching the tail light is mainly done by the cops to leave a thumbprint on the glass. In case the officer who conducted the stop is injured or worse, then his fingerprint will be able to connect him to the suspect's vehicle.
Luxury and sports vehicles are more likely to attract a police officer's attention.
Whenever an officer approaches a stopped car, they have to be ready for a potentially dangerous situation. The person they've pulled over may have a firearm or dangerous drugs in their car, so a tap on the tail light can distract them while attempting to hide any contraband.
Top Successful Speeding Ticket Excuses
It's simple — police are letting you know that they're in the area. The lights on patrol cars are called “cruise lights” when they're not flashing, according to an old post from the Guilford Police Department , which notes that it's a common question the public asks.
White is the most ticketed color of vehicles, as it is the color of the most produced vehicle..
Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles of 2023 by make and model:
Black cars can be difficult to see, especially at night. Black cars also tend to blend into the surroundings, making it difficult for other drivers to see the dark vehicle.
It serves no purpose except to scratch up the taillight diffuser. You should also not tap the charge port door with the charger as that will also scratch.
Top Dashboard Warning Lights Every Driver Should Know
It's not uncommon to see professional and amateur drivers tap their brakes before a braking zone not to brake check their opponents or cause any confusion, but instead to help ensure that brake knock-off, also known as brake knock-back or pad knock-back, doesn't cause them to lose firmness and feel in their brake pedal ...
Thieves often avoid high-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and newer BMWs because they are more difficult to steal, easily tracked, and too risky to sell or strip. These cars often come with multi-layered security systems, making them less attractive targets.
The least stolen cars are ones with bright colours such as orange, green, yellow, and pink. This is because they're uncommon, easy to notice, and hard to sell. Car thieves tend to go for vehicles in common colours, such as white, grey, and black. This is because they have a higher demand, making them easy to sell.
This car is very low demand in the criminal market as parts are not widely as traded in chop shops and the brand does not have an established cross border resale route. So criminals don't prioritise it. And in first place the least hijacked car in South Africa is the Audi Q three.
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In general, the brighter and more unusual a car colour, the harder it can be to sell the car on. Yellow, orange, purple and some greens are unpopular. To some extent, this will vary from car to car, as different shades suit different models.
The Reigning Champion: White
I see vehicles with a flashing red light but no siren and they are not a fire truck, police car or an ambulance. Who are they and what should I do? These are volunteer firefighters that are responding to an emergency. Please move safely over to the right to let them through.
Image of KCPD patrol vehicle using blue lights. Starting Tuesday, September 23, officers on patrol will use blue lights to increase their visibility. They are steady-burning and do not signify an emergency. Drivers do not need to pull over or get out of the way when they see these lights.
Almost always denotes an emergency vehicle if the lights are facing forward. It is also used on school buses to signal traffic to stop during passenger loading and unloading.
The most believable excuses are short, specific, and tied to legitimate responsibilities or unavoidable situations. Examples include sudden illness, a medical appointment that couldn't be scheduled outside work hours, urgent family needs, or car/transportation issues.
Common Defenses Against Speeding Tickets
Traffic Fine Discounts
While these fines must be paid, the AARTO system offers an incentive for early settlement—allowing drivers to pay only 50% of the fine amount if they clear it within 32 days of receiving the infringement notice. This discount system is currently applicable in: Johannesburg.