Unmarked Police Car Pulling You Over? Here’s What Drivers Should Know

You’re driving along a dark stretch of highway when flashing lights suddenly appear in your rearview mirror.

You slow down, glance back, and realize the vehicle behind you doesn’t look like a regular police cruiser. There are no obvious markings, and you’re not sure whether the person signaling you to stop is really a law enforcement officer.

What should you do?

A warning that has circulated on social media for years offers two pieces of advice: Don’t stop until you reach a well-lit, populated area, and dial 112 on your cellphone to verify that the vehicle is a legitimate police car.

One part of that advice is supported by law enforcement agencies. The other could lead drivers to rely on the wrong emergency number.

The Number to Call Is 911, Not 112

The claim that dialing 112 provides a special connection to state police is false.

The number 112 is widely used for emergency services in Europe. In the United States, the established emergency number is 911.

Some cellphone networks recognize 112 and automatically redirect those calls to 911. However, that feature is not guaranteed across all carriers and devices.

The National Emergency Number Association has repeatedly warned against relying on 112 as an alternative emergency number in the United States.

No special nationwide system connects a 112 caller directly to state troopers or provides additional verification of an unmarked police vehicle.

For drivers who believe they may be encountering someone impersonating an officer, the appropriate number to call is 911.

Virginia Law Enforcement Supports Stopping in a Safe Location

The concern behind the social media warning is legitimate.

Although most traffic stops are routine, documented cases of people impersonating law enforcement officers exist.

Virginia safety guidance addresses that concern directly.

The Virginia Rules program, which provides information about Virginia laws and public safety, advises drivers who feel unsafe during a traffic stop to activate their hazard lights and interior lights, then continue to the closest well-lit public area.

If the driver is unsure whether the person attempting the stop is a legitimate officer, particularly when the vehicle is unmarked, the guidance recommends calling 911.

The driver should explain the circumstances, provide their location, and tell the dispatcher where they intend to stop.

The dispatcher can attempt to verify the officer’s identity and communicate the driver’s intentions to the appropriate agency.

The purpose is not to avoid a lawful traffic stop. It is to help the driver reach a safe location while clearly indicating that the driver has recognized the signal to stop.

What Should You Do if You’re Unsure?

If flashing lights appear behind you and you have a genuine concern about the vehicle or the location, safety officials recommend taking these steps:

1. Acknowledge the signal. Slow down and activate your hazard lights to show that you’ve noticed the vehicle behind you.
2. Continue cautiously. Drive below the posted speed limit toward the nearest safe, well-lit, populated location, such as a gas station or public parking lot.
3. Call 911. Tell the dispatcher that an unmarked vehicle is signaling you to stop and that you want to verify the officer’s identity.
4. Describe your location. Provide the road name, direction of travel, nearby intersections, mile markers, businesses, or other recognizable landmarks.
5. Explain where you’re going. Tell the dispatcher which nearby location you plan to use for the stop, and follow any instructions provided.

The call may help clarify whether the vehicle belongs to a law enforcement agency.

However, a dispatcher may not always be able to confirm the officer’s identity immediately.

Police agencies have overlapping jurisdictions, especially along interstate highways and near county or city boundaries. An officer working in one jurisdiction may not be immediately identifiable to a dispatcher in another.

Drivers should therefore remain calm, communicate clearly, and follow the dispatcher’s directions.

Don’t Keep Driving Indefinitely

There is an important limitation to the advice about finding a safer stopping location.

Drivers should not interpret it as permission to continue for miles while ignoring an officer’s signal.

Under normal circumstances, motorists should pull over promptly when an authorized officer directs them to stop.

If there is a legitimate safety concern, the objective should be to reach the nearest reasonably safe location, not to avoid the stop or delay it unnecessarily.

The Texas Department of Public Safety offers similar guidance, recommending that uncertain drivers activate their hazard lights, reduce speed, contact 911, and continue to a nearby well-lit public location.

The agency also notes that officers may instruct motorists to move if they have stopped in a dangerous location.

For example, stopping on a bridge, in a travel lane, or along a narrow shoulder with fast-moving traffic may put both the motorist and the officer at risk.

In those situations, an officer may use a vehicle’s public address system to direct the driver to a safer place.

Why Officers Sometimes Approach From an Unexpected Direction

Once an officer stops a vehicle, motorists should not be surprised if the officer approaches from the passenger side rather than the driver’s side.

Officers sometimes use this approach to reduce their exposure to passing traffic.

On busy highways such as Interstate 81 or Interstate 66, standing beside the driver’s door can place an officer dangerously close to moving vehicles.

Officers may choose the safest approach under the circumstances.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles advises drivers to remain inside their vehicles, keep their hands visible, and avoid sudden movements.

At night, turning on the interior light can make it easier for the officer to see inside the vehicle.

Drivers should wait for instructions before reaching for their license, registration, or insurance documents.

What if You Still Doubt the Person Is an Officer?

If the person approaching your vehicle does not appear to be a legitimate law enforcement officer, you can communicate your concerns to the 911 dispatcher.

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office offered similar guidance following a reported police impersonation incident along Interstate 81 in 2021.

The department advised drivers to look for proper identification and to request a marked patrol vehicle or supervisor if they become uncomfortable during the stop.

Drivers should not leave the vehicle simply to approach the person attempting to stop them.

Keeping the doors locked while waiting for verification may also provide additional reassurance, as long as the driver follows lawful instructions from a confirmed officer.

The safest approach is to remain calm, avoid confrontation, and communicate concerns through the emergency dispatcher.

Know the Difference Between Good Advice and an Internet Rumor

Online warnings often start with a legitimate concern but include inaccurate or exaggerated details.

The claim about dialing 112 is one example.

You don’t need to memorize a special number for an unmarked police car. Calling 911 connects you to the emergency communications system already established to connect motorists with local law enforcement.

However, law enforcement guidance in Virginia and other states supports the advice to choose a safer stopping location.

For most drivers, a traffic stop will involve an identifiable officer and a routine exchange.

But knowing what to do when something doesn’t feel right can help prevent confusion and unnecessary risk.

If you’re unsure whether the flashing lights behind you belong to a real police officer, slow down, acknowledge the signal, call 911, and proceed carefully to the nearest safe place to stop.

The important thing is to act safely, communicate your intentions, and rely on verified guidance rather than a viral social media warning.