WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO
What to do and what not to do. There you are driving along minding your own business and you look in the rear view mirror and there it is – flashing blue lights right behind you. What do you do and/or not do? That is the question. Here are some ideas.
DO: What to do. Turn on your flashers to let the officer know that you have seen his lights and you are going to pull over when it is safe to do so. Stay in the car as (you do not want the officer to think you are about to attack him or run from the scene). Turn off the engine and roll down the window. (If it is dark outside, turn your dome light on so the officer can see what’s going on inside the vehicle.) Keep your hands resting on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to approach. When he asks to see your license and insurance, reach for it slowly. If it is in your purse or a bag in the backseat, let the officer know before reaching back and grabbing it. If you are carrying a gun, let the officer know as soon as being approached. The law on this issue varies by state; it is in everyone’s best interest the officer is notified immediately. By all means be respectful. If the officer has decided to give you a ticket, just sign the ticket and accept it. It does no good to argue about a ticket with an officer on the side of the road. The appropriate place to argue about this is in a court of law and let the judge decide.
DON’T: What not to do. Make any sudden moves reaching for things inside the vehicle. Do not call a woman officer “sweetheart, honey, etc.”. She is an “officer”. When asked questions, keep your answers short, but don’t admit guilty. And as said before, don’t argue with an officer about the ticket. That is neither the time nor the place.
REMEMBER: What to do and what not to do. Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous and unpredictable aspects of law enforcement — second only to domestic disputes. So a little respect for the officers in these situations may help you in the long run.
Got any traffic stop stories? Any other tips you should follow when getting pulled over by the police? Share them with us in the comments!
