DURHAM -- A new state law takes effect next week regarding driver's education.           

Over the years, many traffic stops across the state and country have turned deadly after police pull a driver over. Now, state lawmakers are doing what they can to prevent those tragedies.

The new law states that driver's education handbooks must outline how drivers should properly engage with officers during a traffic stop.

Some of those tips include:

  • Keep hands on the steering wheel.
  • Do not get out of the vehicle.
  • Passengers should also remain quiet.
  • Comply with the officer at the moment.
  • Take up any complaints with the department afterward.

Spectrum News talked with a retired Durham deputy police chief who now teaches teenagers about police interaction. She agrees the new law is necessary.

“I think it's needed. It's definitely needed, especially for young drivers because they get nervous when they're stopped and think they need to get out of the vehicle and that's not good,” said B.J. Council. “The thread that runs both between the driver and the officer is everybody wants to go home. Everybody wants to be safe. So you do what the book tells you to do and everybody will be safe.”

The new law takes effect on Jan. 1.