The 6 Key Actions to Take When You’re Pulled Over By The Police
This is something you’ll never get used to. No matter how many times it happens, each time feels like it’s the first. I know what you’re thinking. It is exciting being pulled over by a police officer, it’s dangerous, it’s, exhilarating, it’s, it’s, you guessed it, it’s a ticket.
If a police officer wants you to stop your car, the officer will activate the patrol car’s emergency lights and/or pull up next to you and gesture for you to pull over. If this happens, carefully slow down and pull over at the nearest safe location. When you stop, turn on your emergency flashers, roll down your window and wait for the officer to approach your vehicle.
1. Don’t immediately reach into your glove compartment, visor or jacket for your license and registration. He could mistake your movement as an attempt to find a weapon of some kind. He could shoot you, or even worse, yell at you. Officers generally want you to keep your hands where they can see them for their own safety. You should wait until the officer asks to see your paperwork before you retrieve the documents.
Ask why you were pulled over.
2. Always keep this in mind: From the moment the officer stops your car, he or she can record everything you say and use it against you. One of the first things an officer may say to you is, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Admit nothing. Be courteous and be polite. Don’t try to guess why you were pulled over. Allow the officer time to explain the reason why you were stopped.
Provide the requested documents.
3. When the officer asks for your license and registration, pull them out slowly and hand them to the officer. Try not to say anything while the officer is reviewing the documents. Don’t tell the officer you’re late for your class or work because that could be considered a reason for speeding or aggressive driving. Wait until the officer asks you questions before you speak. Make sure you always have your driver’s license with you and keep your registration and proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times otherwise the officer may give you an additional ticket!
Remain calm and quiet.
4. If the officer leaves you in your car while he or she checks your information from the patrol car, relax and wait for the officer to return. Don’t preoccupy yourself with finding a radio station or flipping through documents in your glove compartment, which might give the officer the impression you aren’t taking the situation seriously. The 10 to 15 minutes it takes to check your information may seem like an eternity, but it’s better for you in the long run if you just wait patiently for the officer to return. It shows you respect the officer’s authority and understand that he or she is in charge of the situation.
Respond honestly.
5. The officer may ask you a series of questions about how fast you were going, where you were going and what you were doing. Answer any questions you can honestly. You don’t want to provide the officer with any false information at any time. If you don’t know the answer, simply respond, “I don’t know.” Also if he or she asks, “Do you know how fast you were going?” Simply reply, “I’m not sure.”
Remember to always be polite! If the officer asks a question you know the answer to but don’t want to reveal because it may be used against you, you do not have to answer. It may be awkward, but you have the right to tell the officer you would rather talk to a lawyer about it first or that you “would rather not discuss it at this time.” You’re better off not answering than lying and having the officer use it against you later.
Don’t argue with the officer.
6. Avoid arguing with the officer over why you were stopped. If you don’t think you deserve a ticket, contest it later. The officer will give you a ticket regardless of what you say, but if you are argumentative, the officer will have a much better memory of the incident and will be more likely to aggressively defend his or her position in court. Don’t give the officer any reason to show up in court and tell the judge you gave him or her a hard time. It will make the judge much less sympathetic to your case.
Take the ticket and drive away.
7. If the officer writes you a ticket, accept it quietly. Listen to any further instructions, including information on how long you have to pay the fine or what you must do if you want to contest it. In some provinces, you may have to sign for the ticket to show that you received it. If the officer just gives you the ticket without explaining what your rights are (or without requesting your signature in states where it’s required), you may be able to successfully challenge the ticket.
When the policeman has driven away…NOW is the time to yell, scream or cry!
Submitted by Joe Kahler, author of Out On My Own…Now What?! Tips and Insights So You’re Not Left Hanging in the Real World!
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Joe Kahler is recognized as an expert on helping young
adults successfully transition from home to being “out on their own”. His latest work has recently been assembled in his book, Out On My Own…Now What? Tips and Insights So You Won’t Be Left Hanging in the “Real World”!
Joe received his undergraduate degree from Whittier College in Social Sciences and his Masters in Education from Arizona State University. His experience includes teaching, coaching, running numerous businesses, investing, selling insurance and real estate AND attending numerous,personal, “hard knocks” training classes!
Joe Kahler’s knowledge of his subject is thorough, and his expression is opinionated, passionate and humorous.
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