How Long Should a Traffic Stop Take After Running a Stop Sign?

Technically, the statute of limitations for the jurisdiction you're in determines how long it takes for a police officer to take action. In my jurisdiction, it’s a year-and-a-day. However, officers are not required to signal a driver to stop immediately. They can let you continue driving for a few blocks or miles if they need to observe other driving patterns.

The Instructor's Timing

The officer makes a decision on whether to follow you and observe your driving behavior for a few minutes. Once they feel they have enough information, they will pull you over at an opportune moment. This decision is usually made within a few minutes of the officer seeing you run a stop sign. They may also have a verbal communication with dispatch to confirm whether it’s worth pulling you over or not.

The Decision-making Process

The decision on pulling you over depends on several factors. If the street was extremely busy at the time, the officer may need to pull you over as a warning to other drivers. The officer evaluates the risk to others and decides whether a traffic stop is necessary. If it’s not a high-risk situation, the officer might let you go, believing it’s not worth pursuing.

Duration of a Traffic Stop

The time it takes to conduct a traffic stop can vary greatly. On average, my “unknown risk” traffic stops lasted around 6 to 12 minutes. Quick warnings might take only 2 to 3 minutes. If the traffic stop turns into an investigative stop, it could last up to 30 minutes or more.

Most investigative stops that lasted a significant amount of time usually resulted in the driver being arrested. After a stop, I would often have to wait for a tow truck to arrive, and the car might be stored or impounded. The driver would also have to wait in my patrol car's back seat.

Officer’s Decision Factors

For some traffic stops, I would prefer to run the license plate and get the return data before initiating the stop. This helps in making a faster decision on whether to proceed with the stop. The location for the stop also matters. I would prefer to pull the car over in a safe area, which might be a slight distance away.

Conclusion

In summary, the duration of a traffic stop after running a stop sign can vary depending on multiple factors, including the officer's evaluation of the situation, the need for further information, and the inconvenience to the driver. While there are laws and guidelines in place, each stop is tailored to the specific circumstances of the moment.