5 Things to Remember When You Get Pulled Over by a Cop

Positioned on a side street, the cruiser looms like the Imperial Death Star. Your nonchalant glance at the speedometer reveals 46 instead of the 30 that would have been so much better.

Instantly, your mind debates the pros and cons of whether to brake or not, thinking that the lights might be seen as some type of admission of guilt and call even more unwanted attention to yourself.

Nobody enjoys being pulled over, but it is not the end of the world … well, not for most folks, anyway. Unless the police officer is your mother, try not to take it personally.

Although I have been out of law enforcement for more than a few years now, people still ask me what can be done to avoid a ticket. Besides just taking off (definitely a bad idea), my first thought is that people should try to drive better.

But is there anything else you can do to improve your chances of getting a warning instead of a fine?

In the academy, it is suggested that officers make the decision of ticket versus warning before they get out of the cruiser. This utopian concept was probably conceived by someone who never actually had to pull over a car and endure the occasional not-so-enjoyable motoring public.

A moving violation may be worthy of a stop, yet the officer makes the call on whether your driving warrants an actual citation or a warning.

Although we do have some rocket scientists in the area, you do not have to be one to know that your interaction with the police officer can tip the scales in your favor. There are plenty of tickets to write, and this one may not have to be yours. There are some things that may improve your odds during a typical car stop.

I may be going out on a limb here, but honesty may prove so darn refreshing to the officer that you may be rewarded with a warning — even for some really poor driving!

Of course, you may actually get a ticket. Some people really need to get a ticket — not you, of course, but some other people.

Remain calm and take some notes when you get to your destination if you think you may appeal the citation. This will help you recall the events months later at the hearing. 

And, of course, have a nice day!

1. Turn off your radio and do not talk on your mobile phone.

Get out your license and registration. Clean up the pile of warnings that fell from the glove box while you were looking for your registration, but don’t be so fidgety that the officer thinks you are hiding a weapon of mass destruction while she walks up to your car.

If you cannot retrieve the items before the officer arrives at your car, then the officer might prefer that you and the passengers are relatively still and retrieve your documents when asked to do so.

2. Pull over promptly but not in a panic-induced screeching halt. 

Signal to the right, gradually slow down and stop your car in a safe location.  Around a blind corner, at the crest of a hill or in a rotary are less than optimum locations that will place the police officer in a more hazardous position.

3. Do not get out of your car unless specifically told to, or if it is on fire.

If you ignore this suggestion, you will lose considerable brownie points. 

4. In consideration of the officer’s safety, turn on your interior lights if it is dark outside.  

Of course, rolling down the driver’s window is obvious, even if the weather is less than perfect. With traffic going by outside, the goal is to encourage an environment where you and the police officer can communicate effectively and safely. 

5. Be quiet and let the officer speak first.

Screaming, arguing, swearing, donut jokes and making demands are disfavored. Try to maintain a calm tone of voice. Don’t take your clothes off or reveal more body parts than normal. You know who you are.

- Stephen McDonough is an attorney practicing in Norfolk. He was a police officer for more than 12 years. He can be reached at sfm@wagnermcdonough.com. 

Photo by Webbaliah, via Flickr. Some rights reserved.