In Canada the police need a reason to pull people over. They don’t need much of a reason and occasionally it appears they fabricate the reason after the fact, but it doesn’t change the fact that they need to have a lawful reason to conduct a traffic stop. Sometimes drivers seem to hand the police a reason and this can be easily avoided. Certain vehicle modifications can make you an easy target for police attention and provide a lawful justification for a traffic stop. Drivers fail to take into account that seemingly minor details about their cars can lead to traffic stops, resulting in an investigation and potentially something serious.
Tinted Windows
One of the most common reasons for traffic stops that we see here in British Columbia is having tinted windows for front-seat occupants, including the windshield. While tinted windows may seem like a harmless aesthetic choice, they are prohibited in BC. The primary concern is that they obstruct the view into the vehicle, which can pose a safety risk for law enforcement officers. When police can’t see inside the car, they have valid grounds to lawfully stop the driver to investigate for tinted windows. This initial stop can often lead to more scrutiny, as officers may take the opportunity to check for other potential violations or evidence of other offences.
Missing or Obscured Licence Plate
Another common reason for a traffic stop is a missing front license plate or having an obscured plate, either front or back. In BC, vehicles are required to have a visible front license plate at all times. Missing or covered plates can quickly catch an officer’s eye and serve as a legitimate reason for a traffic stop. This may seem like a minor oversight, but it can lead to more serious consequences. For instance, during the stop, police might discover that the driver doesn’t have proper insurance or registration, or worse, that the vehicle has been involved in criminal activity.
Modified Exhaust
Driving a noisy vehicle due to exhaust modifications is another common reason drivers get pulled over in BC. Loud exhaust systems are considered a nuisance but can also indicate that a vehicle has been modified to be louder. When officers hear a noisy car, they’re likely to stop it and inspect the exhaust system. This can lead to fines and a mandatory inspection to ensure the vehicle complies with the law, but also a more intrusive search of the vehicle.
Once they’ve got you…
Once the police detain you, they can conduct a more thorough inspection of your vehicle. They may investigate the driver to determine whether they may have alcohol or an impairing substance in their body. This means that even if you were initially stopped for a minor infraction, officers could find other issues. For example, they might discover that you’re carrying illegal substances or weapons, or they might decide to administer a breath test. Even if you think you’re not doing anything wrong, you might unknowingly be in violation of some law or regulation.
DUIs
Very often the police will use the lawful traffic stop for a minor violation as an opportunity to conduct an impaired driving investigation. Police in Canada can make an ASD breathalyzer demand of any driver they have lawfully stopped, even without evidence of drinking. Countless BC drivers have been breathalyzed due to tinted windows and ended up with a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition for drinking and driving. A DUI of this sort may be entirely avoidable if the police did not see a reason to stop the car.
Don’t Set Yourself Up!
Do yourself a favour and don’t make yourself a target. When officers see something like tinted windows, it’s a red flag that justifies a lawful stop. From there, they have the authority to investigate further. Small details like tinted windows, missing or obscured license plates, and noisy exhausts can quickly make you a target for police stops.
Call us if you’ve been stopped
If you’ve been subjected to a police investigation from a traffic stop, give us a call. Our particular expertise is charges and offences arising from police interactions while driving and we’re just a call or text away at 604-685-8889.