When in your vehicle during a traffic stop, where should you keep your hands?

During a traffic stop, it is recommended to keep your hands on the steering wheel. This position is ideal because it clearly signals to the officer that you are not a threat and you are following their instructions to remain calm and cooperative. It allows the officer to easily see your hands from outside the vehicle, which is important for their safety and yours. Keeping your hands visible helps reduce anxiety for both you and the officer, as it indicates that you are not reaching for anything that could be potentially harmful.

Other options, such as placing your hands on your lap or the passenger seat, may obscure visibility and raise concerns for the officer regarding your intentions. Positioning your hands on the dashboard might also lead to similar concerns, as it does not emphasize visibility the same way as being on the steering wheel does. Therefore, placing your hands on the steering wheel is the best practice during a traffic stop.