My personal thoughts on Pull Over DIVA response

Although the response is welcomed and I am happy that my voice was in fact heard, I feel it does not get me any further to an answer to my concerns. The problem is still apparent. I do not want to purposely anger the police officer if I take my time in exiting the freeway to protect my child which can result in the officers discretion as to how to handle me. I have seen far to many incidences where an officers "discretion" was used and such discretion was used to taser a traffic stop citizen or arrest them for an unjust reason (usually later deemed unjust by the court system). I also have taken a slight defense to the "follow all the traffic laws" statement in this email. I find that this is implying that I the Pink Haired Momma would be "guilty" of the offense if a police officer has pulled me over. However it is my understanding that I have the right as a citizen to go through the legal system and appear before a judge and my peers before the guilt is associated with me, if in fact I am truly guilty of said citation. I also would like to note that an officer is human and can make issue citations when no citations would be necessary, again to be decided in a court of law. Just my thoughts in response to this email.

Response to Pull Over Baby DIVA

A few days ago I posted a concerning question that I posed to various transportation agencies around Texas regarding the safety of my child during a traffic stop by police. I promised you, the reader, I would update you as responses were received and given to me the Pink Haired Momma. I received the first response yesterday from the Texas Department of Transportation. Although the response is welcomed and I am happy that my voice was in fact heard, I feel it does not get me any further to an answer to my concerns. I would like to hear what your thoughts are on this concern as well as the response I received from the Texas Department of Transportation. As to not taint your own individual thoughts I will wait and post my personal response at a later time.



Here is a copy of email received:



Ms. (Pink Haired Momma),
There are no state statutes that cover the scenario you provided. When stopped by an emergency vehicle, drivers are required to pull to the right and stop. Common sense yields that the location of the stop should be in a safe area. Many agencies conduct traffic stops on freeways on the shoulder. However, I’m sure those officers would prefer to be in a safer location during the stop. As long as the nearest exit is used and you make your intentions to the officer as clear as possible as you’ve suggested, I believe you will be ok. It is up to the discretion of each officer to decide if the driver is attempting to evade arrest or attempting to find a safe place to stop.

Another suggestion would be to obey all of the traffic laws and, therefore, never provide an opportunity to placed in this situation.

I wish you safe travels for you and your child.

Texas Highway Patrol
Austin