Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

In the traffic stop process, what should an officer do in Step 4?

1. Notify dispatch

2. Activate emergency equipment

3. Monitor traffic

4. Make contact with the driver

The correct answer is: Activate emergency equipment

In Step 4 of the traffic stop process, activating emergency equipment is essential for ensuring safety and visibility for both the officer and the driver. By turning on emergency lights and potentially sirens, the officer communicates to other road users that a traffic stop is in progress. This action helps to clear the area and create a safer environment for conducting the stop, significantly reducing the likelihood of accidents or interference from passing vehicles. Activating emergency equipment also sets the tone for the encounter, reinforcing the authority of the officer and signaling to the driver that they should remain in their vehicle while the officer approaches. This step is pivotal in establishing a controlled environment in which the officer can proceed with the subsequent phases of the stop. While notifying dispatch, monitoring traffic, and making contact with the driver are also critical components in the overall traffic stop procedure, activating emergency equipment specifically addresses the immediate need to safeguard both the officer's and the driver's well-being at the onset of the encounter.