This week’s question addresses a chain e-mail that’s been floating around.

Kathy Reiff of Mukilteo writes: Can you really keep driving to a safe public place if an unmarked police car signals you to pull over? What if it is a marked police car? Is it possible and OK to call star-77 to tell the dispatcher that you are waiting to find a safe place to stop?

Keith Leary, a trooper with the Washington State Patrol responds: According to state law, any person requested or signaled to stop by a law enforcement officer for a traffic infraction has a duty to stop (RCW 46.61.021).

The best way to tell if it is a police officer is to look for an exempt license plate. The State Patrol does have unmarked cars with standard plates that are used for various functions such as in a unit that looks for aggressive drivers. State troopers working the road in these unmarked vehicles and working traffic patrol are dressed in full uniform when stopping violators.

Most likely a car with flashing lights is a patrol car, but enough people have purchased lights and impersonated police in the past to make this a safety concern.

If you are truly unsure that it is a police officer, reduce speed just below the speed limit. Use your turn signals; wave to let the trooper know you see him or her (at night, turn on your interior lights). Pull off into a well-lit parking lot, convenience store, police station, fire station, etc. Pull over or off the road as soon as possible, do not continue for miles.

Roll down your window just a few inches so you can clearly see the officer and he can see your face and your hands.

When the officer approaches, inform him that you were concerned because the car is unmarked and apologize for not stopping immediately.

Call 911 to have a dispatcher verify that the unmarked car behind you with lights is actually a police officer. I am told dialing star-77 does not work in this state.

Do not speed up and try to outrun the car.

The trooper or officer may question you as to why you did not stop right away, but if you are sincere in why you sought the location you did, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Lt. R.C. Rochon of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office weighs in: Again, state law requires drivers to pull over when signaled by a law enforcement officer. Once stopped, especially at night, there is no requirement to roll your window all the way down totally exposing yourself. You must simply roll it down enough to communicate with the officer and exchange paperwork.

As for star-77, I tried it and it does not work. If there is any doubt in anyone’s mind that the officer trying to stop you or visiting your house is a real police officer, you may call 911 and ask. When in contact with the officer you may ask to see their department identification, not just a number on a badge but a real identification card.

E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence.