What is the first thing an officer needs the driver to do in a felony traffic stop?

• A. Turn off the engine
• B. Step out of the car
• C. Place hands on the head
• D. Put his hands out the window

Answer: (D)

Safety and control start with making the driver’s hands clearly visible to the officer. In a felony stop, the officer needs to see both hands at all times to monitor for weapons or sudden movements and to establish a predictable, non-threatening posture. Extending the hands out the window accomplishes this immediately, giving the officer a clear view of where the hands are and allowing quick assessment of motion. This sets the safest tone for the encounter and reduces the chance of a confrontation due to hidden weapons or abrupt actions. Other steps, like turning off the engine, exiting the vehicle, or bringing hands to the head, don’t provide the same immediate visibility of the hands or can complicate risk assessment at the outset.