On a high-risk traffic stop, how far away should your vehicle be from the suspect's vehicle?

• A. 30 - 40 feet
• B. 5 feet
• C. 60 - 80 feet
• D. 100 feet

Answer: (A)

During a high-risk traffic stop, you want a safe standoff that balances control with the ability to react. Thirty to forty feet from the suspect’s vehicle provides enough room to observe the hands, issue commands clearly, and maneuver if needed, while keeping you out of immediate reach of any weapon or sudden movement. It also allows space for your partner and for maneuvering to use cover and secure the scene.

Being too close, like five feet, increases the risk if the suspect reaches for a weapon or makes a sudden move. Being much farther away, such as sixty to eighty feet or a hundred feet, can reduce your ability to see hand movements clearly, to read signals, and to respond quickly and effectively.