For some drivers, the phrase “didn’t stop at the traffic inspector’s demand” sounds almost like a sentence. But we’re not talking about those who deliberately break the rules, but about a normal motorist who at some point simply didn’t see the traffic officer’s gesture or physically didn’t have time to brake. This really happens.
From a legal standpoint, this is a violation for which liability is provided. Let’s figure it out in order.
Imagine: you’re driving, not violating anything. Suddenly an inspector steps onto the road and with a wave of the baton demands you stop. And at that moment you, for example, were changing lanes—either you didn’t notice the signal, or it was already too late to brake. What then?
Option one – the inspector decides not to pay attention to this fact,
option two – gets into the patrol car and goes after you in pursuit,
option three – transmits information about your car via radio to other posts.
The inspector “didn’t take offense”
Traffic police officers claim that they don’t stop anyone without a reason. If they wave the baton—that means there’s a reason (or one will be found).
However, if the inspector himself isn’t sure of your guilt, doesn’t have sufficient evidence of a violation, or stopping could provoke an accident—he may simply ignore this case, even without passing the information to neighboring posts.
In practice, this happens quite often, especially when it comes to a “cool” car with tinted windows.
But you shouldn’t count on it: there are known cases when inspectors ran out onto the third (!) lane or started a pursuit (more on that below).
Operation “Interception”
A chase is rather rare, because it requires additional equipment (usually they’re on duty with radars) or involving other crews.
Nevertheless, it does happen. And here I wouldn’t advise playing the hero. Chases or driving past several posts in a row usually end badly: the road can be completely blocked, and in extreme cases—fire at the car.
What this can turn into—I think it’s unnecessary to explain. Although there are also funny cases. For example, one driver who didn’t stop at the demand decided to flee: quickly parked and jumped into a minibus. But the inspectors figured out his plan and stopped the bus he was riding in.
If you managed to escape the chase, get ready for nervous trips for at least a few weeks. Your number will be remembered and passed to all posts. Your address will be looked up in the database. The consequences will be unpleasant.
Stop at the next post
The third scenario—you’re still stopped at the nearest post.
As for the fact of the violation—formally it exists: you didn’t comply with the demand to stop.
But with evidence it’s more complicated. The inspector must explain why you were stopped (based on the previous crew’s words) and provide evidence. In addition, you have the right to argue your actions by the fact that stopping was impossible without creating an emergency situation (clause 2.14 “e” of the Rules).
If at the next post they have nothing to charge you with, most likely they’ll let you go, advising you to be more attentive.
But a lot depends on the driver: their experience, knowledge of traffic rules, and even the inspectors’ mood. For example, in Kyiv there was a case where at one post they stopped a person who hadn’t obeyed the inspector’s demand. A minute later another car pulls up, an enraged traffic cop jumps out, takes the license, and draws up a protocol with all the consequences.
In court, the driver managed to prove his innocence by providing convincing arguments that he’s an adequate person, and the situation was just a coincidence of circumstances.
Conclusion
Be attentive on the road!
It’s better to settle all issues with one patrol than to set the entire MIA system in motion.
Lawyer’s opinion
Vitaliy Savchuk, lawyer at LLC “Rybin and Partners”
According to clause 2.4 of the Traffic Rules, a driver is obliged to stop at the demand of a police officer and provide the car for inspection. For failure to comply with this demand, a fine of 153 to 187 hryvnias or license suspension for up to 6 months is provided (Article 122-2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Ukraine).
There are exceptions. If the driver objectively cannot stop due to a threat to life, health, or other force majeure circumstances, this is not considered a violation (clause 2.14 “e” of the Rules).
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