What not to do when Police Pull you over
"High Speed Chase Ends in Death of Driver"
"Suspect Fatally Shot During Chase"
"Local Man Killed After Stolen SUV Overturns"
The headlines trumpet the penalty for trying to outrun police. Maybe it is these very headlines that cause many to panic when the red/blue lights flash on in their rear view mirror.
If you are tooling down the road and see these beacons following you, do not panic. No matter what they may be stopping you for, nothing can make it worse quicker than panicking and trying to outrun the law.
You can have a stroked/bored race car and you are not faster than the car radio the officer can use to call ahead.
Your first choice must be to safely pull off the side of the road and stop. That will be your best option and safest choice for both the officer and you.
Once stopped, do not make any sudden moves, the officer may be investigating a robbery nearby that involved a vehicle similar to yours. For all the officer knows, YOU are the robber reported to be armed in their last radio call. He/she has no way of knowing you are a harmless citizen until you make contact and they perform their job.
If you are innocent, you should be on your way shortly.
Keep your hands in sight of the officer and roll your driver's window down (if it is up).
Many law enforcement officials do not wish for occupants of cars to attempt to exit, remain inside your vehicle until you are instructed to get out, if so instructed.
The officer who is stopping you has but one thought process mainly in mind. Making this stop safely and returning home from work at the end of the shift. Anything you do that could be perceived as jeopardizing that will put you at risk.
Once you see the beacons behind you, signal your intention to pull off the road, if it is not immediately safe to do so. This lets the officer know you have seen the "request" from the lights and you will comply.
Pull completely off the roadway; ensure you give enough room for the officer to stand by your door safely from passing traffic, if possible.
With the window down, just wait for the officer. They may have called your license plate in and could be waiting for their dispatcher to return the information they asked.
Again, if you are innocent, most likely it will come back that yes, the license plate is on the correct car, no wants or warrants exist for the car, and then the officer can approach your vehicle.
Be polite. Officers today carry microphones and have dash-cams recording the stop. How many of us have seen the videos on TV where the guy was a total fool, tearing up the ticket and throwing out the window? The officer has audio and video feed to back up claims of what happened at the scene, so just deal with the stop and be on your way.
If you were violating a law; speeding, incorrect lane changes, running stop signs, or any number of reasons you could be stopped, you took a gamble on that day and lost. Accept the consequences of your actions.
Most definitely do not threaten the officer, either physically or with "I know the Mayor, Governor" type comments. They won't be the least bit impressed and it will not do a thing to stop the ticket you may be getting.
Follow the directions given to you by the officer. "Stop, stay in the car, etc" are all valid instructions. Any attempts to do something other than instructed will raise the tension between the officer and yourself higher, escalating a simple traffic stop to much more.
Any perceived physical threats most likely will be met with force. Refusal to comply with simple directions can end with you in handcuffs while the officer simply tries to ascertain if you should be held.
Comments like, 'don't you have anything better to do than harass law-abiding citizens" or "why didn't you stop the other guy, he was going faster" also don't help. Also, do not use profanity with the officer. It will not help your case.
If you disagree with a ticket, take it to court. That is where you get your chance to tell a third party what your side is. Not by the side of the road.
If you are stopped and you shouldn't be driving at all; drunk, suspended license, or any other reason, again, you gambled and lost. Take your punishment. If you attempt to flee, the odds are greatly stacked against you and you will most likely be caught and facing many more charges and more severe penalties for fleeing. Is it worth it?
Heard the story of the guy who fled from police and killed someone with a car while fleeing? His license was suspended. Driving on a suspended license is serious, but not as serious as vehicular manslaughter.
Maybe you are in a stolen vehicle, but the penalty for that is not death, unless you crash fleeing and end up taking your life in the process.
Keep your wits about you, remain calm, talk with the officer and most likely your minor infraction will only result in a fine and a few minutes spent alongside the road. In the end both of you should be able to leave the stop to continue on your way and destination. Anything else may have you making a side, and extended, to the local jail.
