Policy Text
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTM ENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT Page 1
TITLE: TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT
NUMBER: 502
EFFECTIVE: FEBRUARY 1, 2000
REFERENCE:
RESCINDS:
AMENDS:
ATTACHMENTS:
DATE FOR REVIEW: PERIODIC ALLY
REVIEW BY: STAFF/OUTSIDE SOURCE
DATE LAST REVIEW: June 2025
DATE REVISED: May 2020
PURPOSE ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 2
DISCUSSION ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 2
POLICY ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 2
DEFINITIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 2
ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 3
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 3
UNIFORM TRAFFIC CITATION ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 4
UNSIGNED CITATIONS TO BE SERVED ................................ ................................ ......................... 5
ARREST ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 5
SPEED VIOLATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 7
HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 7
NON -HAZARDOUS VIOLATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 7
EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 8
OFF-ROAD VEHICLES ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 8
PUBLIC CA RRIERS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ................................ ................................ ...... 8
MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 8
PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 8
SEATBELT A ND CHILD RESTRAINT VIOLATIONS ................................ ................................ ......... 9
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VIOLATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 9
DUI INVESTIGATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 9
NEWLY EN ACTED LAWS AND/OR REGULATIONS ................................ ................................ ....... 9
DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED OR REVOKED LICENSE ................................ .............................. 9
REQU EST FOR DRIVER RE -EXAMINATION ................................ ................................ ................... 11
VEHICLE STOPS ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 11
ROUTINE STOPS ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................. 11
HIGH RISK STOPS ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 12
OFFICER/VIOLATOR RELATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 13
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTM ENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT Page 2
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for uniform traffic law enforcement actions.
DISCUSSION
Uniform traffic law enforcement helps to achieve voluntary compliance with traffic laws and regulations.
The ultimate goal of enforcement should be to alter favorably the violator’s future driving habits.
Warning or other non -punitive actions may be subst ituted for arrest or citation in some circumstances.
Officer discretion is an integral element of any enforcement action. The provisions of this procedure will
not preclude an officer from drawing upon their training, common sense, and sound judgment t o
exercise discretion in evaluating the seriousness of the violation and circumstances or conditions
existing at the time.
POLICY
502.1a Traffic law enforcement will be applied in a fair, consistent, and a courteous manner to foster a
positive public attitude. Enforcement actions will be accomplished in conformance to law and this
order.
DEFINITIONS
502.2a AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE : - The designated section on the reverse side of a Uniform
Traffic Citation to be completed upon inspection of a repaired vehicle equipment violation.
502.2b AREA VISIBLE PATROL - Moving or stationary observation in an area that includes a number
of stre ets or sections of highway.
502.2c COVERT STATIONARY OBSERVATION – The traffic enforcement unit cannot be viewed from
the roadway being observed.
502.2d DIRECTED VISIBLE PATROL - Area or line patrol that is specifically directed by supervisory
members based on unfavorable traffic crash or enforcement data.
502.2e LINE VISIBLE PATROL - Moving or stationary observation between two points on a specified
street or highway.
502.2f OVERT STATIONARY OBSERVATION - The traffic enforcement unit is positioned so that it is
clearly visible to persons using ordinary powers of observation.
502.2g SEIZURE – The lawful taking of a motor vehicle tag and/or driver license into custody, which
has been suspended by DHSMV for inadequate or no insurance.
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTM ENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT Page 3
ENFORCEMENT TECHNIQUES
502.3a Department traffic enforcement efforts will be directed toward those violations that most often
result in traffic crashes. Supervisors should emphasize the quality of traffic stops, not the quantity. The
following techniques may be employed to achieve this objective:
• Public awareness and education;
• Area, line, or directed visible patrols;
• Overt and covert stationary observation;
• Unmarked vehicles in specialized enforcement operations;
• Preventive patrols highlighting specific violations;
• Concentrated patrols;
• Safety and sobriety che ckpoints;
• Analysis of traffic enforcement activities;
• Evaluation of selective traffic enforcement activities; and,
• Analysis of areas with high incidents of traffic crashes.
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
502.4a The following pert