What not to do when a Cop Stops you
Red and blue are great colors – unless they're the colors of the lights atop the cop car behind you. Then they become one of the most intimidating and unwelcome sights you've ever seen. Nobody enjoys being pulled over by the police. There are many things you should do if you're stopped by a cop and just as many things you shouldn't do. Here are some suggestions regarding what not to do when you're gripped by the long arm of the law.
Don't keep driving
Some people take their good old time figuring out the perfect place to stop when the cop indicates they pull over. According to the law, you must stop when a policeman uses his siren and emergency lights. A cop will not activate these unless he's spotted a safe place to stop, so you can trust his judgment. Plus, once those lights start flashing, he's in charge – not you.
Don't start reaching for something as you're being pulled over
While you're pulling over, don't start rummaging in the glove box, under the front and passenger seats or in the back seat. The officer will be observing your movements, and will be taking them into account when he approaches your car after you've parked. Don't provide him with anything to be suspicious about.
Don't start reaching after you've been stopped
Keep your hands on the steering wheel when the cop approaches your car, and leave them there. Don't start groping around in the glove box, your purse, pockets, jacket, wallet, or under the seat. The officer doesn't know you, and could assume you're attempting to access a weapon. Before making any movement, let the policeman know what information you'll be retrieving, and where you'll be retrieving it from.
Don't get out of your car
Some people believe they will appear polite and amicable if they get out of the car to meet the officer. However, this is not the case. From his perspective, you could be a criminal with dangerous motives heading straight toward him. This action also jeopardizes the officer's control of the situation. Stay in your vehicle until the cop requests you to step out of it.
Don't argue
Before the officer writes the ticket, it's okay to say something like, "I'm sure I was doing the speed limit." But becoming argumentative, belligerent and aggressive, or rolling your eyes, making sarcastic remarks and obscene gestures, and yelling and swearing are not going to win you any points with the officer, and may actually escalate the situation. Ditch the attitude and save your dispute for the courtroom.
Keep your hands out of your pockets or jacket
A police officer's first concern is to protect himself, and he has been highly trained to do so. He hasn't the slightest idea who you are or that you would never even consider hurting another human being. From his perspective, if you put your hands in your pocket or jacket, you may be reaching for a weapon. This could cause him to draw his weapon, or at the very least, to ask that you keep your hands where he can see them at all times.
Don't ask why you're being stopped
Most people know why they're being stopped. And the cop stopping them knows they know why they're being stopped. So if you immediately greet the officer by asking why you were stopped, it sounds awkward and contrived. Only ask if you are genuinely, completely clueless about why you're being pulled over.
Don't let your passenger talk to the cop
If you want to nearly guarantee getting a ticket, let your passenger chat the officer up. Only you and the officer should be interacting – after all, your driving record is on the chopping block, not your passenger's. If your passenger is so troubled by this traffic stop, maybe they should have told you to slow down, stop at that red light or not cross that solid yellow line. If you believe the officer is wrong in this situation, you can bring your passenger to court as a witness, where they can talk as much as they want.
Don't screech your tires as you drive away
When the cop is through and walks back to his patrol car, don't screech your tires and blaze away to show how infuriated you are. This may only lead to yet another traffic stop, and another ticket for various other violations.
Don't use your cell phone after you've been stopped
Do you really need to be on your cell phone when a police officer needs your full attention? Cell phone usage can be extremely disruptive when a cop is trying to talk to you, and you're trying to talk on your phone. By staying on the phone, you're demonstrating minimal respect for the officer, and an attitude that you care very little about the situation. And if you don't care about getting a ticket, chances are that's exactly what you'll get.
Seeing those red and blue lights in your rearview mirror ranks right down there with root canals and public speeches. But if you're courteous and respectful, you might just get the same in return – as well as a warning, instead of a ticket.
