MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

If you are following a vehicle that weaves within its lane, what is your recommended course of action?

1. Follow the vehicle until a traffic violation occurs

2. Do nothing

3. Stop the vehicle immediately

4. Use lights and sirens to pull the vehicle over

The correct answer is: Follow the vehicle until a traffic violation occurs

Following a vehicle that weaves within its lane can indicate potential impaired or distracted driving. The recommended course of action, in this case, is to monitor the situation closely and follow the vehicle until a clear traffic violation occurs. This approach allows law enforcement to gather more evidence regarding the driver’s behavior and ensure that they can address any risky driving appropriately. It's important to remain vigilant because weaving may not always be an immediate justification for a traffic stop. By closely observing the vehicle, an officer can determine whether the driver's actions escalate into a more serious violation, such as erratic or unsafe driving patterns, which would then provide a legitimate reason for intervention. This method prioritizes safety for both the officer and other road users while allowing for an informed decision based on observed behaviors. Stopping the vehicle immediately could be premature without solid evidence of a traffic violation. Using lights and sirens to pull the vehicle over might escalate the situation unnecessarily if the driver's behavior does not warrant such action at the moment. Doing nothing would mean ignoring a potentially hazardous situation, which is not advisable for road safety. Therefore, following the vehicle until a traffic violation occurs strikes a balance between proper observation and appropriate response.