Pulled Over By Police? Here Are A Few Tips.
- 9
- Add a Comment
Several of my friends are local police officers, most of them work patrol. Here are a few tips that will increase the likelihood that you will not get a ticket should you get pulled over for a traffic violation. Keep in mind that you should never break traffic laws, but sometimes you don’t realize how fast you’re going, etc.
1. Be Polite: Yes, you are upset that you got pulled over. Keep in mind you should be upset at yourself, not the officer. He or she pulled you over for your safety and the safety of others. That’s their job. Getting rude with the officer will just cause him to look for other reasons to cite you and if you get to bad, you could go to jail. Rudeness will also lower the chance of getting the ticket “fixed” if, like me, you know allot of police personally. The officer that signed your ticket has to sign off on it to cancel it.
2. Keep Your hands Visible: Once you pull over and put the vehicle in park, keep both of your hands on the wheel and wait for instructions from the officer. If you dig around in your glove box, the officer does not know if you’re getting your insurance information or a gun.
3. Turn on Your Dome Light: If it is dark when you get pulled over, turn on your dome light. This will allow the officer a clear view of the interior of your vehicle and relieves allot of stress for him/her.
4. Keep Your Car Clean: If the interior of your vehicle is a total mess, it is more likely the officer will ask to search. If it is neat and clean, the officer can see there is nothing there that shouldn’t be and he will be more relaxed.
5. Don’t Lie: If you know you were speeding, admit it. Don’t try to argue with the officer. If he asks you why you were speeding, don’t make something up. Last time I got pulled over I just wasn’t paying attention, so that’s what I told him. If you don’t think you were speeding, you have the option to fight the ticket in court.
Now these are just a few tips, none of which guarantees that you will not get a ticket. Just remember that it’s best just to be polite, accept the ticket and thank the officer. Be sincere, not sarcastic. police get paid crap for putting their lives in danger to protect citizens every day.
9 Comments
david o leary
June 13th, 2008
at 4:30pm
thats good tips ……..num 1 i s good shoul all ways do that
tom
June 14th, 2008
at 12:30pm
If a cop asks if you know why you were pulled over,that’s a trick question.He already knows why he pulled you over.Say no and wait for his explanation, but always be respectful of the man with the badge,as he has the final word
Bone
June 15th, 2008
at 10:49am
“Here are a few tips that will increase the likelihood that you will not get a ticket should you get pulled over for a traffic violation.”
…
#5 Confess.
Thank you. That was the funniest thing I’ve read in a while.
Gary
June 15th, 2008
at 3:01pm
I always mention as soon as possible that I’m an ex-cop. Works more often than not with male officers. Not hardly at all with female cops. They just don’t get the concept of once-a-member-of-the-brotherhood always a member.
Hint 1-never allow them to search. They might not like the 4th Amendment but having PC is still what it takes..
Hint 2-don’t answer their questions like where are you coming from, going, etc.No fishing expeditions allowed. You are under no obligation to talk to cops. You are under no obligation to do roadside performance tests. They won’t like it. Tough. You are not rquired to provide evidence to help convict yourself.
Pete
June 15th, 2008
at 3:51pm
@ Gary,
Great advice - except for 1 thing - follow it and you will almost certainly be arrested.
Most cops thrive on confrontation.
You’ll be classed as unco-operatve,secretive and acting suspiciously - enough reason to give you a hard time.
That would include a body-and vehicle search .
Possibly be beaten up if you so much as make an unexpected move (their words).
Forget about your rights- they don’t exist - not on the road.
Fight it in court and you’ll find the (socalled) justice system is heavily biased in favor of police.
If you’re of a (visible) minority or have an accent ,triple your chances.
Rick
June 15th, 2008
at 9:23pm
Actually Gary is correct. You have no obligation but to provide drivers and vehicle information. You certainly should never admit guilt or allow a search of your vehicle without them obtaining the proper warrant, even if you have nothing to hide. Respectfully decline, stating your rights. That being said, you have to be aware that every time a police officer approaches you, it’s a dangerous situation for you. Pete’s warnings about beatings, and the shooting of unarmed citizens for some sort of fear based misunderstanding on the officers part, are very real. It happened in my home town just lately. Pete’s also right about the officers immunity to the criminal justice system. If any misconduct on an officers part ever makes it to court (unlikely) no jury or judge will convict them. So beware. Your rights matter little if you catch a bullet. I did refuse to admit guilt to a traffic officer and he went balistic. I respectfully told him to write his ticket and I would sign it and be on my way. After his tantrum, he came back with a warning ticket and lectured me on the difficulties of his job and we went our seperate ways.
Barry
June 16th, 2008
at 6:39am
A few years ago my hyperactive 2 year old and I were stopped at a “routine” road block, when asked by the officer if I would mind if he searched my vehicle I replied sure if we can look thru your cruiser. He just looked a little bewildered and said “that’s ok, move along”.
Allen
June 16th, 2008
at 8:06am
Getting out of a ticket is much more difficult these days. State and Local governments are having budget problems and the police are being looked at as a source to help reduce these shortfalls. You may also notice that fines for traffic infractions are increasing.
Gary
June 19th, 2008
at 10:45pm
Pete, you forgot that I said I was a cop, a deputy sheriff actually for 8 years in the 1970’s. I know the rules of the game. No searching period. They must have something called probable cause to search. Since I’m clean, they can’t have probable cause to stick their noses in my car.
And what’s up with this cuffing you for the officers safety? Your only being detained, not arrested. I will fight them on that under false arrest and I will resist. Cuffs on you’re under arrest.