You might see this phrase on a traffic citation, in a police report, or hear it from an insurer after a crash: a driver "failed to stop" and kept going after an officer tried to pull them over. That usually means fleeing and eluding - driving away, speeding off, or otherwise refusing to stop when law enforcement gives a clear signal to pull over. The signal can be emergency lights, a siren, or another obvious command to stop. It is more serious than missing a turn or being slow to notice a patrol car; the key issue is intentional refusal.

In everyday terms, the accusation suggests that the driver knew police were trying to stop them and chose not to. That can turn an ordinary traffic stop into a criminal case, especially if the driving creates danger for other people on the road. When panic gets behind the wheel, courts tend not to be charmed.

In Kentucky, the formal charge is usually called fleeing or evading police. The main statutes are KRS 520.095 and KRS 520.100. Depending on the facts, it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

For an injury claim, this can matter a great deal. Evidence of fleeing may support negligence, recklessness, or even punitive damages. It can also affect comparative fault, insurance negotiations, and whether a jury believes the driver acted with conscious disregard for safety.