When the Lights Flash: Navigating Traffic Stops with Wisdom and Dignity

On February 19, 2025, a routine traffic stop in Jacksonville, Florida turned violent. William McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Black college student and church musician, was pulled over for allegedly driving without headlights and not wearing a seatbelt. What followed was a disturbing escalation: officers broke his window, punched him in the face, and dragged him from his car. The incident, captured on cellphone and bodycam footage, has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for accountability.

But beyond the headlines lies a deeper question: How do we navigate traffic stops safely, wisely, and with dignity—on both sides of the badge?

🧭 For Drivers: Traffic Stop Etiquette That Protects and Empowers

Whether you're pulled over for a minor infraction or something more serious, these steps can help you stay safe and assert your rights:

• Pull over promptly and safely: Use your turn signal and find a well-lit area if possible.

• Stay in your vehicle: Unless instructed otherwise, remain seated with your hands visible on the steering wheel.

• Roll down your window fully: This signals cooperation and allows for clear communication.

• Wait to retrieve documents: Only reach for your license, registration, or insurance after the officer requests them—and narrate your movements.

• Stay calm and polite: You have the right to remain silent beyond basic identification. Avoid arguing or self-incrimination.

• Record if needed: In many states, you can legally record the interaction. Do so discreetly and respectfully.

• Know your rights: You can refuse a vehicle search unless there’s probable cause. You can also request a supervisor if you feel unsafe.

Protect and Serve

👮🏽‍♂️ For Officers: Protocols That Build Trust and Prevent Harm

Law enforcement officers are trained to prioritize safety—but tone, transparency, and respect matter deeply. Here’s what ethical policing looks like:

• State the reason for the stop clearly and calmly.

• Avoid escalation: Use assertive—not aggressive—body language and tone.

• Honor requests for a supervisor: Especially when tensions rise or legality is questioned.

• Respect the driver’s dignity: Even if noncompliant, physical force should be a last resort.

• Follow department protocols: Including bodycam usage, documentation, and de-escalation training.

• Remember the power of perception: Most citizens form their view of law enforcement through these brief encounters.

Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

This scripture doesn’t just echo the heart of this blog—it grounds it. It reminds both drivers and officers that etiquette isn’t just about behavior—it’s about character. Justice isn’t optional. Mercy isn’t weakness. And humility isn’t silence—it’s strength under control.

🧠 Personal Reflection from the Founder of Keyola Consultants

At Keyola Consultants, we often reserve deeper conversations for our sessions and trainings. But this story hit a familiar chord—and reminded me that etiquette isn't just about professionalism. It's about character. It's about honor.

I’ll never forget a traffic stop I experienced years ago. The details stay with me not just because of what transpired—but because of how the officers showed care, restraint, and discernment. Their training, paired with my own God-given poise, kept a volatile situation from taking a drastic turn. It could’ve gone another way. But because both sides practiced mutual respect and clarity, everyone lived. And no further damage was added to an already tense, emotionally loaded moment.

That’s what etiquette really is—it’s emotional discipline under pressure. It’s knowing your rights while honoring responsibility. And it’s exactly why we teach what we teach.

✨ Final Thoughts: From Fear to Framework

William McNeil Jr.’s story is not just a cautionary tale—it’s a call to action. Traffic stops should never be battlegrounds. They should be moments of mutual accountability, clarity, and respect. Whether you're behind the wheel or behind the badge, etiquette isn't just about politeness—it's about protection.

Let’s keep educating. Let’s keep advocating. And let’s keep showing up with wisdom, grace, and strategy.

Keyola Consultants offers etiquette training designed to equip, protect, prepare, and empower— our programs meet people where they are and raise the standard. 📩 Partner with Keyola Consultants.   Book a session. Sponsor a training. Share the truth. Let’s make etiquette more than a formality—it’s your spiritual, professional, ethical and social armor.