6 Things You Should Never Do When Pulled Over By The Police
Don't run
I know, it can be tempting to try your luck, but there really isn’t much in it for you. Chances are the cops already have your license plate number, so even if you do manage to slip through the net, you’ll just get a knock on your front door instead. That small fine for being a bit naughty just got ramped up to something a lot more serious.
Don't be rude or argumentative
It always winds me up when I see people hating on the police, because in the real world, they play a vital role in keeping all of us safe. Unfortunately, just like us, they’re human, so that means they can have bad days. It also means that there are some idiots who wear police uniforms. Therefore you will no doubt encounter cops that’ll annoy you, but it’s important to remember that they’re typically the minority, and even if you disagree with why they’re pulling you over, they’re just doing their job. Imagine someone giving you grief in the workplace for doing something that you would get fired for not doing.
As petrolheads, we probably have to deal with cops more than the average person, and like most of you I’ve been pulled over numerous times. I’ve only had one bad encounter, and that was after getting pulled over outside a nightclub by an officer who was trying to breathalyse me - randomly, my driving wasn’t that bad, she assured me - while also trying to organise newbie officers rattled after breaking up a fight. She was stressed, she took it out on me, and I don’t blame all cops for that.
Just be polite, accept what they’re saying, and chances are you’ll be treated with respect in return. Go in with an aggressive attitude, and chances are they’ll give as good as they get.
Don't reach for something
Depending how jumpy your country’s cops are, this may or may not apply to you - America, this probably applies to you. Simply put, it’s a really bad idea to reach for something without a police officer’s expressed permission, because they have no idea exactly what you’re reaching for.
You may know that you’d never hurt a fly, but if the officer found a weapon on their last traffic stop they might be understandably insistent that you eat dirt for diving into your glovebox.
Don't jump out of the car
Again, depends how jumpy your local cops are, but this is a good rule to follow wherever you are. When you’re pulled over, don’t open the doors unless instructed to get out. People who are up to no good and have something to hide are more likely to get out the car and start running their mouth, so even if they don’t immediately throw you on the floor they’re more likely to go over your car in detail.
Don't park somewhere stupid
We’ve all seen it happen. The cops light someone up and they panic, stopping in a terrible place. Whether it’s in the way of fast moving traffic, blocking an intersection or mounting a kerb, a sure-fire way to rile the cops up is to park somewhere you shouldn’t.
If you don’t think it’s safe to stop, acknowledge the cop by waving a hand (not a middle finger) or flashing your hazards so they know you know they’re there, and wait until you think it’s safe.
And don’t laugh if an officer says miaow. You’ll get a ticket.
Comments
That Lancer Evolution though
I think that clip is from a movie
Miaow I know what not to do,thanks.
Miaow that right there is funny
Are you kitten me?
Purrfect advice
wheres cat throttle when you need it
I’ve been driving for almost 3 years in the UK and I’ve never been pulled over.. That’s probably a good thing but I kind of want this to happen at least once (not because of me doing stupid things but just because) and show them that all my documents are perfectly fine and I am not drunk or anything :)
Same here but in the US
I know exactly what you mean. I dont want to get pulled over, but I also kinda want to experience it once. Im sure It’ll happen sometime.
Haha I can completely understand you. I was waiting for being pulled over 2 years and I was sooo happy when it happened! And they actually checked my documents, car and equipment very carefully, but didn’t find any single problem, which made me even more happy. :D
Not so funny meow is it.
#7: Don’t use Pursuit Breakers to escape the cops like in NFS.
And don’t bomb them like you’d do in GTA.
Parking in a spot to hide doesn’t work either.
Anybody else think of the opening scene of Super Troopers?
Mother of God
The first gif is from a swedish car chase with a C63
Also:
•Turn engine off, remain buckled in, pull up your parking brake, roll Windows all the way down, and turn on interior lights if at night.
•Ask them explicitly if you can open up a glovebox, center console, reach in your pocket, etc for your license and what not.
•Always be respectful even if you don’t want to, and friendly. It may not get you out of a ticket then, but if at court the officer remembers that you were a jolly fellow he might let you off the hook.
•Weapons should NEVER be visible. It’s better to just not even mention them unless asked. (EDIT: As others have said, you should mention them. Especially for concealed carry or within reach weapons. I originally meant things like knives or batons that were hidden away like in the spare tire compartment because that may raise suspicion. Anything visible though you should mention and I personally would mention everything in my car). You should say you don’t have any weapons because you shouldn’t, but I know like many other Americans that’s not an option. Just know that if you say you do they might search your car, which no one wants. However if you lie and say you don’t have one but they search anyways and find it you’ll be in big trouble.
Good points, buuuut….
It is better to mention if you have a weapon straight off the bat. They will ask where it is, and depending where it is they may ask to secure it during the stop. If you don’t mention you have a weapon and they see it, especially if you’re concealed carry, you’re going to have a bad time. You probably won’t go to jail or be ticketed for not mentioning it, but things will probably get tense for a bit. A lot of Officers get shot during stops, so they are understandably on edge.
Also, be sure you have the necessary permits for the weapon and how you’re keeping it. My state doesn’t require a permit for Concealed Carry, but some do, so make sure you keep your Concealed Carry permit on you at all times. (This was told to me by active Police Officers in my city, so it won’t apply everywhere, doubly so for those outside the US)
That last point is the exact opposite of what you should do. To get your CC you need to go through a mock traffic stop with it. Please edit your comment or something so no one reads that and gets the wrong idea, because not telling a cop and even saying you don’t have a weapon in the car when you do could get you a ticket or worse.
I agree on all your points but the last. I always inform the cop of any weapons within the vehicle, and it generally makes the stop a lot smoother. It’s a courtesy that I extend to them, they are just doing their job no reason to make it harder than it has to be.
Very true man. Great tips
What if you get pulled over in an i8 the windows don’t drop all the way down
Got pulled over here in the netherlands like 5 times now.. Once they searched my whole car, didn’t find anything, wished me a greay day and got off.. Still wondering why they had to search my car now..
Maybe a discription of your car was called in with something possibly in it?
I always turn off my car, roll down the window, turn on my overhead light, get my registration and insurance out, etc. Just appear as polite and cooperate as possible.