police vehicle stop occur thousands of times daily.
first things first, the law in Ontario sees driving as a privilege, not a right. So while you are protected by the charter, there are certain obligations that you have during a police vehicle stop.
if a police officer has signalled for you to stop, you must immediately come to a safe stop
you could face fines or jail time for failing to stop when requested
The Highway Traffic Act requires you to provide the officer with three items during a police vehicle stop:
your driver’s license
proof of insurance
vehicle registration
Failure to provide these items can result in a fine
when you are pulled over, you should stay in the car, turn on the interior lights, roll down the window and place your hands on the steering wheel
when the officer comes to the window, provide them with your documents when they request them
In Ontario, your passengers are under no obligation to provide identification or to answer questions during a police vehicle stop.
The police can order to step out of your car if:
they suspect you are impaired and they are administering a roadside breath or sobriety test
they’re concerned for their safety (must be reasonable belief)
The police may ask to search your car
You do not have to give them consent – even if it sounds like an order
If you have been pulled over and they want to search your car, you have the right to call a lawyer
note that section 8 of the charter applies to the search of the vehicle so the police must have reasonable grounds for the search
act respectfully and provide the necessary documentation
sometimes, given the context, it’s better to comply with the officer’s requests than to argue with them
– it’s always your right to ask why you have been stopped and to contact a lawyer before answering any questions or consenting to a search
