Everyone finds themselves sooner or later with a police checkpoint on the road. You may be stopped because you have been caught by the speed camera, to take a breathalyzer test or for a simple routine control. Even if you have downloaded an application to avoid these situations, you never know when they may surprise you, and that is why you must know how to behave in front of the agents. However, if you have not committed any infraction, you do not have to be nervous and you have to take this process calmly.
The objective of traffic controls is none other than to reinforce road safety on the roads. The bodies and security forces are obliged to signal with cones or vertical signs to warn drivers of the control point. The agents will indicate the entrance to this place with a beacon and, with their arms raised, the place where you have to stop. Immediately, gradually reduce speed, indicate with the turn signal, park and attend to their instructions.
Get as close as possible to the place where the agent is, keeping a safe distance and turn off the engine. If it is night, turn on the light inside the vehicle and then roll down the window without removing your seat belt. Do not forget to place your hands in a visible place to prevent the agents from interpreting any threat.
As a tip, try to be as courteous as possible with the agents, as collaboration will make this a much easier and faster process. They will explain the reason for your control, as it is your right as a driver. You must show them the personal or vehicle-related documentation that is required of you and, if they tell you that you must get out of the car, remember to put on your reflective vest.
The normal thing in a control is that, after carrying out the pertinent actions, the driver circulates again without major effects. But in the event that you have committed an infraction, for example, speeding, the agents will inform you and propose a sanction. If you are required to sign a piece of paper, be clear that it is a notification confirming that you have received the fine, which in no case will demonstrate compliance with the sanction.
Skipping a police control or running away from one also constitutes in itself an administrative offense that can cost you a fine of 200 euros and four points on your license. Never do this, as you will only be signaling to the officers that you have committed a foul. On the other hand, if you are rude or disrespectful during the practice of a control, you could be charged with a crime of resisting the authority of article 556 of the Penal Code, or of attack in case of reaching the extreme of aggression (article 550 of the Penal Code).
