When pulled over by a law enforcement officer, what should you do?

When you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer, the best practice is to pull over and stop in the right shoulder of the road. This is because the right shoulder is typically less traveled and provides a safer environment for both your vehicle and the officer approaching you. Stopping in this area also reduces disruption to traffic flow, allowing other vehicles to pass safely on the left.

Additionally, stopping on the right side makes it easier for the officer to approach your vehicle. This position is generally understood by drivers and law enforcement alike as the appropriate and safest place to pull over.

In contrast, stopping in the left lane can lead to dangerous situations, as it would force oncoming or adjacent traffic to react unexpectedly. Continuing to drive until you find a safe spot can escalate the situation and lead to misunderstandings or further enforcement actions. Ignoring the officer and speeding up is clearly unsafe and illegal, putting you and others at risk. Thus, pulling over to the right shoulder is the most appropriate and responsible action to take when being signaled to stop.