California law changes how police stop truck drivers

The law, which took effect January 1, 2024, requires California police officers to immediately provide a reason for stopping a vehicle and include it in any ticket and police report.

Many officers, after stopping a car, first asked drivers: “Do you know why I stopped you?” Now the police will have to tell the driver the reason for the stop before asking any questions.

The law is intended to protect the state’s drivers from “pretext stops,” in which a police officer uses a minor traffic violation as an excuse to stop and investigate other possible violations.

From the text of the law:

This bill, effective January 1, 2024, would require a peace officer who stops a vehicle or pedestrian to state the reason for the stop before questioning him in connection with a criminal investigation or traffic violation, unless the officer reasonably believes that it is necessary not to disclose the reason for the stop in order to protect life or property from an immediate threat. Beginning January 1, 2024, the officer will be required to include the reason for the stop on any ticket or police report.