Tail Light Touch

[Barchetta]

Alright, curiosity does have the best of me on this. I caught this question on another board looking for an unrelated issue. So here goes...

Why Do Officers Touch The Tail Light When Approaching The Car?

"I have watched the majority of the episodes of the show "Speeders" on Court TV for a few months now, which features modern day officers on traffic stops mainly for speeding.

Anyways, I've noticed when an officer approaches a car for a small violation such as speeding, 90% of the time the officer touches the tail light of the car as he or she walks toward the front of the car.

What is the purpose of touching the tail light?"

From what I have gathered, this is a something the general public should not know. I quite haven't figured out why though. If one of you all has the answer and would like to share without posting, feel free to PM me. Thank you all in my quest for ridiculous answers to ridiculous questions.

[Jake]

Ive been pulled over quite a few times and never had that happen to me.

[sawyer1]

We are taught to touch the trunk not the tail light so you can ensure it is locked, Also iv heard cops used to touch the tail light so the driver couldnt say that the police busted there tail light with there batton.( i dont know about that)? Or ive heard that its to ground themselves so they dont shock you when they get to the door?

[SuperDutyPSD6L]

I was pulled over for speeding and the cop did it every time he walked back to his car. I was curious and asked and he said it was to leave their fingerprints on the vehicle in case something was too happen. I am not sure what good that would do but I guess in some way it may serve as a purpose. But that was the explanation he gave me.

[najaf4life]

Originally Posted by SuperDutyPSD6L

I was pulled over for speeding and the cop did it every time he walked back to his car. I was curious and asked and he said it was to leave their fingerprints on the vehicle in case something was too happen. I am not sure what good that would do but I guess in some way it may serve as a purpose. But that was the explanation he gave me.

that's what I have heard... just incase they kill the officer... and they have a idea of the car and then they find the car and find the cops finger prints well then you know that the police officer did happen to pull that car over

[sawyer1]

Oh ya thats also why we have to do that, I guess its cause if you were to take off we can identify the vehicle. I was just taught this along time ago and havent really used this.

[DunesRunner08]

We were taught to push on the truck to make sure it was closed...SO if someone was hiding and wanted to jump out...as for the taillight touch, I have no clue

[najaf4life]

well... I do know that if you have a PSD or a Camaro SS... they touch them cause they are some bad azz vechiles

[Barchetta]

I am very much intrigued by everyone's answers. I am hoping some more LEOs can give their answers to this mystery.

[Barchetta]

Anyone on the Weekday Day crew know the answer to this?