Random Tips About What To Do If You Get Pulled Over (23 items)

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  (#1) Don't Let Passengers Interject

  Unless the officer asks one of your passengers a specific question, the dialogue should remain between you and the officer. Make sure your snarky friends save their sarcastic comments until the traffic stop is over. 
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  (#2) Use The Turn Signal To Indicate You're Pulling Over

  Don't make things harder than necessary. You're already being pulled over for a violation, so you don't need any other issues. Use your turn signal and begin changing lanes as soon as traffic allows.
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  (#3) Stay In Your Car

  Until you're told otherwise, stay in your car. If a cop needs you to step out of the vehicle, they will ask you to do so.
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  (#4) Turn The Music Down

  Some people think it's a good idea to just "act normal." This is only true in that you shouldn't immediately panic. But if you're blasting the Beastie Boys when that cop walks up to your window, chances are they're going to be really annoyed and immediately ask you to turn it down.

  This sets the tone for the rest of your conversation, and is not the way to go if you are planning to talk your way out of that citation. 
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  (#5) Pull Back Into Traffic Cautiously

  There's no real protocol regarding who needs to pull away first. Before you pull back into the road, collect yourself. Put your license, registration, and ticket away. Take a couple of deep breaths if you need to regain emotional control. 

  Finally, remember to use your turn signal when you're getting back into traffic.
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  (#6) Keep Your Hands On The Steering Wheel

  Traffic stops are among the most dangerous actions for police officers. Do them (and yourself) a favor by placing your hands somewhere they can see them. If you get asked to do anything, do it, then return your hands to the steering wheel. It's easy and police appreciate it.

  Plus, the steering wheel gives you something to hold on to while you're shaking in your boots.
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  (#7) But Seriously, Relax

  This cannot be stressed enough. Keeping calm is the most important way to mitigate the unpleasantness of encountering law enforcement after being pulled over. Getting agitated, hostile, or nervous are all great ways to arouse suspicion, which could get you searched and more. 

  Try to remember that - in most cases - this is a totally routine occurrence.
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  (#8) Don't Make Sudden Movements

  Once an officer flips on their lights to pull you over, they're watching every move you make as a precaution for their own safety. A sudden drop of one or both your shoulders? They may assume you're hiding something under the seat.

  The point is that suspicious behavior is likely to give the officer probable cause to search your car.
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  (#9) Pull To The Far Right When You See The Lights Flash 

  You don't want to compromise anyone's safety (including your own), but turn on your right turn signal and begin pulling over to the right side of the road as soon as possible. If you're on a busy street or highway, keep the officer's safety in mind as well, as they will have to approach the driver's side window.

  You don't have to immediately swerve to the right; remember safety first when pulling over. 
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  (#10) Always Be Respectful

  Remember the days of getting grounded? And how, depending on your attitude when your parents were reprimanding you, you could sometimes get a reduced punishment just by being a respectful human being? This same principle applies to traffic stops. 

  Police officers are just doing their jobs, and the harder you try to make things for them, the worse the results are likely to be for you. 
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  (#11) Respond To Questions With Precise, Direct Answers

  Even if your hands are shaking and your voice is quivering, try to control your responses to the cop and respond with short, specific answers. Remember, anything you say can be used against you in traffic court, so be honest, but don't just volunteer information or word vomit in the situation. 
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  (#12) Let The Cop Speak First

  No matter how innocent, nervous, or frustrated you are, take a couple of deep breaths as the cop approaches your window and let them be the first to break the silence. They will generally let you know right away what you did wrong. 

  Asking an officer questions like "What's the problem here?" puts you on the defensive right away and sets a negative tone for the entire conversation. 
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  (#13) Know Your Rights

  Always be aware of your rights as a legal driver. Don't find yourself in a compromising situation because you weren't sure what to do or say. 
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  (#14) Roll The Window Down 

  It's better to have the window already down and hands on the steering wheel by the time the cop arrives. They're going to ask you to roll that window down anyway, and the less time you have with your hands obscured, the better.

   
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  (#15) Never Argue

  The point of arguing over a ticket would be sway the officer from actually giving out a ticket, right? But what officer is going to back down after you start being giving them a hard time? Play it cool and keep your mouth shut.

  If you have a justifiable reason to combat the citation, do so in traffic court, which is the appropriate venue. 
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  (#16) If It's Dark, Turn on the Interior Car Light

  This tip is for your safety as much as it is out of courtesy for the officer. Eventually, you'll have grab your license and registration and you'll have to sign your ticket, so be prepared by turning on your interior light. 

  This also allows the officers to see into the car, so they are aware of how many people are inside. 
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  (#17) Wait For The Officer To Ask For Your License and Registration

  This piece of advice seems a little hazy for some people as they often think preparation is the best way to get out of a citation. However, if you start reaching around for stuff before the cop gets to your window, you're going to look like you're reaching for something that's been concealed.

  Just be patient, and wait for the cop to ask for your license and registration.
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  (#18) Sign The Ticket

  Signing the ticket isn't at all akin to signing a guilty confession. The citation basically states you were there at the scene with the officer and that you'll go to court at a later date, if requested.

  Don't get huffy about the stop and blow your chances at traffic court by being stubborn about signing the ticket.
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  (#19) Never Admit To Guilt

  Anything you say during your conversation with the officer can be used against you in the court of law... and no, that's not just something they say on Law & Order. Just because you aren't being thrown into the back of a cop car doesn't mean the cop can't use your words against you.

  Stick to really neutral answers like, "Okay, I see" or "I wasn't aware of this" etc. 
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  (#20) If You Can't Pull Over Immediately, Turn On Your Hazard Lights

  If you're stuck in traffic or at a place that's unsafe to pull over, feel free to turn on your hazards to indicate that you understand and you're trying to comply.
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  (#21) It Never Hurts To Apologize

  If you don't do well thinking on your feet, find a crafty way to expressing some remorse without completely vilifying yourself. You never know, a cop could be less likely to remember your court date depending on how you handle the situation.
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  (#22) Without Probable Cause, Don't Allow A Car Search

  If the cop asks to search your car but hasn't expressed why, or the probable cause for the search, you can politely decline. Declining may sound like something a guilty person would do, but unless you know for certain that no one's left anything incriminating (beer bottle, fireworks etc.), it's worse to risk it by letting them search.
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  (#23) Never Admit To Drinking And Driving

  Once you admit to having had ANY drinks, you've "testified against yourself" when you go to court. Check out this attorney's advice on how your conversation should flow when you get pulled over.

  Basically, don't admit to having had any drinks, and politely state you have nothing to say, even if this makes the situation somewhat uncomfortable

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