Tips for making traffic stops go smoothly?

[johnsonbw]

Hello, I'm Ben from Olathe, KS
Just asking for some tips here. In the 4 and a half years I've been driving, I haven't been pulled over for any type of traffic infringement. Since the only people who can answer in Ask-A-Cop are police officers, do you guys have any tips on how to make a stop go as smoothly as possible, for both myself and the officer, if/when it does happen? I don't want to get pulled out of my car and thrown on the ground next to a fairly busy freeway :P
I know the basics, such as pull over as soon as possible, and preferably in a place where an officer can approach away from traffic. Keep the hands visible, otherwise said officer might think you're a) hiding something, or b) getting a weapon. If you have stuff (i.e. wallet/registration/etc.) in the glovebox or in the container next to the seat, inform the officer of its location and your intent, and have them ok it before reaching in there.

I know that worrying an officer is one of the least intelligent things to do in these situations. So I'd appreciate any tips I could get.

Thanks!

[DCF]

You do what you've already said are the basics and I don't see any problem. common courtesy begets common courtesy.

DFrost

[mcsap]

Turn on your dome light.

Turn OFF your radio.

Tell your passengers to be QUIET.

Don't say " I can't believe you stopped me , I didn't do anything wrong "

[retdetsgt]

Don't say " I can't believe you stopped me , I didn't do anything wrong "

Or, "Why aren't you out there catching real criminals?"

[GoDirectly2Jail]

[greg72982]

Ignore your cell phone. Trust me, you aren't that important.

[icu650]

Do not look all around and then ask the cop what he has under the hood.

[johnsonbw]

Aah great video. Thanks everyone for your comments!

mcsap, in response to the "turn off the music", I don't listen to music while I drive anyways

[MikeLowrey]

1. Pull over as soon as you notice your been pulled over.
2. Bring down all your windows, specially if you have tints.
3. Place the car in park, then turn it off (another good thing is putting your key on top of the roof).
4. Do what "mcsap" pointed out.
5. Also apply some of the basic things you said at the beginning.
6. Last but not least, everything you seen here posted by our fellow officers still applies too.

Dont try to be a smart@$$ with the officer, be respectful at all times, follow his instructions, and everything should be fine.

[marinepilot]

1. Pull over as soon as you notice your been pulled over.
2. Bring down all your windows, specially if you have tints.
3. Place the car in park, then turn it off (another good thing is putting your key on top of the roof).
4. Do what "mcsap" pointed out.
5. Also apply some of the basic things you said at the beginning.
6. Last but not least, everything you seen here posted by our fellow officers still applies too.

Dont try to be a smart@$$ with the officer, be respectful at all times, follow his instructions, and everything should be fine.

I like to tell people who ask about getting out of tickets, usually, when I walk up to the vehicle I've just stopped, I have it in my mind whether or not I'm going to give a citation or just a verbal warning. If I'm of the mind that you're going to be cited, it's a hell of a thing to try and talk me out of it and into a warning, although I'm not saying it hasn't happened.

However, if I am of the mind to give you a verbal warning, it's just that easy to talk yourself into a citation. Being a smart a$$ is one guaranteed way of doing so.

[johnsonbw]

However, if I am of the mind to give you a verbal warning, it's just that easy to talk yourself into a citation. Being a smart a$$ is one guaranteed way of doing so.

Duly noted

Thanks again!

[ChaosXIW]

Don't get pulled over. Boom.

[cntryboy0531]

1) Hide your hands
2) Make sudden frantic movements without warning
3) Suddenly reach into places that are out of sight, and without warning.
4) Yell, curse, and generally inform the officer of your mad driving skills and how you have done nothing wrong.
5) ALWAYS remind the officer that you pay his salary.
6) Attempt to argue the ticket roadside.
7) Prior to pulling over make lots of erratic driving manuevers.
8) For maximum hillarity, and if you feel ballsy enough, As the officer is approaching your car, drop it into reverse and let off the brake. Hillarity Ensues.


Yeah, do all that and I can gurantee you that you will not be given a ticket.

However, your probability of contracting acute lead poisoning may significantly rise as well.




In all honesty, go back to the golden rule. Treat us with as much respect and courtesy as you would like to be to be treated. You may still get a ticket, but it'll make the stop go much smoother.

[MikeLowrey]

1) Hide your hands
2) Make sudden frantic movements without warning
3) Suddenly reach into places that are out of sight, and without warning.
4) Yell, curse, and generally inform the officer of your mad driving skills and how you have done nothing wrong.
5) ALWAYS remind the officer that you pay his salary.
6) Attempt to argue the ticket roadside.
7) Prior to pulling over make lots of erratic driving manuevers.
8) For maximum hillarity, and if you feel ballsy enough, As the officer is approaching your car, drop it into reverse and let off the brake. Hillarity Ensues.

Oh! no you didn't!

[QldCop]

Driver - "cant you give me a warning?"
Me - " I sure can Sir, don't do it again or you'll get another Ticket."