A traffic stop will, understandably get you rattled. It could mean a citation or a warning, if you have broken a traffic safety rule. However, no matter how nervous you are, you will be in a much better position if you calm down, focus, and deal with the situation as a responsible motorist.
Keep in mind these steps/tips if you should find yourself having to deal with a traffic stop:
1. Slow down and turn on your flasher/turn signal.
This gesture reassures the police officer that you are pulling over shortly.
2. Find a safety spot to stop.
If you find a police car behind you with its siren blaring or emergency lights flashing, pull over to the right as soon as you can, making sure to do so safely. Make a complete stop in a safe place. If you’re getting pulled over on a busy street, the best thing to do is drive an acceptable short distance until you come to a quieter, well-lit spot, preferably a wide shoulder of the road or close to a parking lot.
If pulling over requires you to cross multiple lanes, turn your flashers on and drive with caution.
3. Turn off the ignition.
Put the car in Park and turn off your engine. For safety, and as a courtesy to the officer so he/she doesn’t have to tell you, keep your hands on the steering wheel. If you’re unable to find a well-lit spot to pull over, turn on your interior lights. If you’ve been smoking, stub out the cigarette, and then keep your hands on the steering wheel. (Note that police officers making traffic stops will be nervous too since they won’t know what you’re up to.)
4. Roll down your window.
Take a deep breath to steady your nerves before rolling your window all the way down. If you have tinted windows, roll down the passenger windows as well. To avoid causing any tense moments, move slowly and don’t give the police officer any reason to think you might be drawing or reaching for a weapon or hiding something. Also, you may be the type to talk when you’re nervous, but do your best to keep quiet. Let the officer speak first.
5. Stay in the car and wait for instructions.
Unless instructed otherwise, stay in the car. Leaving your vehicle without being without being told to do so may be viewed as aggressive behavior. Avoid reaching for anything under your seat or in the passenger compartment. When asked for your registration, tell the officer where it is and then wait for the go-ahead before slowly retrieving it. While the officer is checking your information.
6. Be polite; don’t argue.
When the questions come, speak in a polite manner and keep your answers direct to the point. Don’t blabber. Take another deep breath if you need to. If you are given a ticket, don’t argue. Sign the citation. Your signature is not an admission of guilt; rather, it merely indicates that you are the individual who received it and that you intend to either pay the fine or show up in court.
If you feel you have been wrongly charged, save your arguments for the court, which is the appropriate place to address any discrepancies or wrongful charges.
It’s not a farfetched idea that you might get pulled over at least once in all your years behind the wheel, so don’t get too worked up about it when it does happen (if it hasn’t happened before). Remember that traffic stops are rife with possible danger, and police officers just want to avoid getting hurt too, so the best thing to do is to stay focused and calm, comply with instructions, and avoid arguing—or worse, losing your temper.