ALT-2 What not to do when the Police Pull you over
A beautiful buxom blond in a shiny red sports car has just been stopped for speeding on the highway. She flips her hair, checks the lipstick in the rear view, and pulls down the top of her shirt just a bit more. She can see the squad car door opening as she wiggles her hips to obtain just the right position to show off her best assets. She puts just the right mix of embarrassment and sensuality into her botoxed lips as the cop steps up to her window.
Imagine her disappointment and dejection when the female officer asks for her license. She's probably just worked her way into multiple violations as the woman cop subtly rolls her eyes heavenward.
The county commissioner's face is red with fury as the deputy approaches his luxury SUV. How dare one of these cops stop him? The young deputy politely asks for his license as the commissioner stutters and expounds his self importance. He not only receives a ticket for expired registration, but he's also cited for failing to have a license plate light.
If you're pulled over by the police, chances are you've broken the law. Believe it or not, real life cops have to have reasonable suspicion to stop you. It doesn't take much. That smelly tree hanging from your rear view? Illegal. Didn't signal because no one is ahead or behind you? Illegal. Flicked your cigarette out the window? Illegal.
If you are stopped - complaining, crying and whining will get you nowhere. If you committed a moving violation such as speeding or failing to stop at a sign then perhaps you deserve a ticket. Their purpose is to deter future driving violations. If you have an equipment violation such as a loud muffler and you're stopped, get it fixed. Equipment violations usually don't go on your driving record.
Treat the officer with respect, they should be doing the same to you. If you call the cop names or try some lame excuse heard a thousand times such as needing to urinate badly, it is just not going to work. Do not attempt to bribe the officer with money or certain favors, every cop has a camera and microphone recording the traffic stop and you're only going to end up in jail.
Want to show the cop what you think of the ticket and rip it up? At least throw it in the car and not on the road - that's littering. You may want to keep in mind that the piece of paper you just ripped up might have some valuable information on it. Something that might get your license suspended because you didn't follow directions?
Let's not forget, if you're stopped somewhere along one of your regular driving routes and you decide to be a jerk - the officer who stopped you probably works along that route pretty routinely. If they happen to pull you over again, they are going to remember you, and they will not show any mercy to someone who does not deserve it.
Don't be foolish and think if you don't roll down your window because you have certain inalienable rights you don't need to - you'll probably need to buy a new window. Do not under any circumstance offer the nice officer a beer or joint.
Never hide a still smoking pot pipe under your hat, in your bra or down your pants. Reality television is rather enamored of those types of clips.
