When stopping a vehicle on the road, in addition to checking the driver’s documentation like the license and registration, the police also perform a “mysterious” action.
Another action that drivers often overlook is that a police officer will touch the back of the car near the taillight. There are several reasons why law enforcement officials do this.
According to Law Dictionary, before cameras were installed in most police vehicles, touching the back of a stopped car, specifically the taillight, was a way for police to leave evidence – a fingerprint – proving that they were present.
Instances of American police touching the rear of a vehicle before approaching the driver’s side.
If anything happens while the police are stopping a vehicle for inspection, the contact between the two parties can be traced through the fingerprints left on the car. For example, this evidence can help police locate a missing person even in the absence of video.
Another reason an officer might tap on the taillight is to startle the driver. Police can find themselves in dangerous situations when stopping someone, especially when some drivers might be carrying illegal or prohibited items like guns, ammunition, or drugs.
Typically, if a driver has something illegal in their vehicle, they will want to hide it before the police approach their window. Therefore, one of the reasons police touch the taillight is to give someone in the car a jolt.
Drivers usually won’t think much of an unusual sound like a tap – which essentially causes them to pause for a few seconds, giving police additional time to witness what is about to be concealed.
Additionally, if an officer believes they are in a dangerous situation when stopping someone, they may touch the back of the car while approaching the driver’s door to ensure that the trunk is secured. This ensures that no one is hiding in the trunk and could jump out at any moment.
