THE LAW is clear – it is an offence not to stop when instructed to do so by the police or a traffic officer.
But, from ongoing incidents reported in the press, we know that criminals are aware of this rule too, resulting in the bad guys posing as law enforcement officers and using blue lights (and other equipment) to commit crime.
It’s worrying that with 250 such incidents under investigation, no formal procedures for either the public or the law enforcement fraternity have been put in place to follow.
To remedy this, the Road Traffic Management Corporation and Justice Project South Africa have jointly developed a protocol of what to do when accosted by flashing blue lights.
According to these bodies, if you follow the instructions below, there should be no reason for you to feel endangered by either legitimate or bogus police officers.
Stay calm. Slow down and turn your hazard lights on.
Extend your right arm out of the window, and with an outspread hand extended into the air, gesture for them to follow you (by moving your forearm forward and back). Repeat this action several times to ensure they get the message.
Drive at no more than 40km/h and proceed directly to the closest police station or public place with CCTV (like a service station forecourt).
Do not drive to your own or a friend’s home, as this could endanger a larger circle of people.
Call 10111 and report being followed. Ask the operator where the nearest police station is if you are unsure.
If possible, provide the registration number of the vehicle that is following you to the 10111 operator, so it may be established if it is a legitimate police vehicle or not.
Should you reach the police station and find no visible policing, hoot for as long as it takes for someone to come out. Remain in your vehicle with the engine running, in gear and your windows wound up until such time as officers from the police station come out to you.
Co-operate fully with the police from that police station and the officers from the vehicle that followed you, and explain that you felt intimidated and therefore followed the step you did.
Should you go to a service station, drive on to the forecourt, ensuring you are in full view of the CCTV cameras.
Co-operate fully with the officers from the vehicle that followed you and explain that you felt intimidated and, therefore, proceeded directly to the service station.
No matter what, if you are shouted at, do not respond by shouting back.
Also, be careful not to respond to potentially violent acts by resisting in any way or becoming violent yourself. Remain calm and respectful and explain that the reason you did not stop immediately was because you were not comfortable that they were genuine police.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation and Justice Project South Africa, there is a big difference between evading, or fleeing from police, versus having them follow you to a place of safety.
Both the public and genuine police officers should feel comfortable with this protocol, as it offers protection from attack in an isolated place by moving the stop to a public place where witnesses and assistance should be available.
Should you follow these steps and the people pursuing you start firing at you, do all you can to evade them. Obviously, try to call the police as soon as you can.
These steps are issued in the the public interest and neither the Justice Project South Africa, the Road Traffic Management Corporation or this publication can accept any liability. It is merely a guide that we reckon should help in this dangerous situation.
