Let’s face it, getting pulled over by the police while driving is never fun. If you are getting pulled over, it typically means that you have done something wrong and violated a traffic law. Violating traffic laws oftentimes will result in a driver receiving a traffic ticket and fine, which can be very stressful.
In order to ease that stress, there are ways to make a traffic stop go smoothly.
Here are some simple tips as to what you should do if you are getting pulled over by a police officer.
When you first realize that you are being pulled over, you will want to put on your turn signal and pull over safely to the side of the road. Once pulled over, turn the vehicle off and leave it in park.
- When the police officer approaches the vehicle, roll down your window and remain calm and respectful. It’s important to always keep your hands visible as well. This is for your safety and the officer’s safety. Keeping both hands on the steering wheel as the officer approaches your vehicle is always a good rule of thumb.
- The police officer will more than likely ask you for your drivers license and your vehicle’s registration. Simply hand them over. The officer will then typically tell you why you are being pulled over.
- When answering an officer’s questions, always remain polite and remember that you don’t have to answer any questions that don’t pertain to the reason why you are being stopped. Every American citizen does have the right to remain silent.
- If an officer does issue you a ticket for a traffic violation, it’s best to simply take the ticket and continue to be respectful. Whether you agree with the reason for the ticket or not, you will have a chance to explain your side when you receive a court date.
- When you receive a traffic ticket, you have the option to accept it or contest it in court. There are check boxes on the ticket for you to check prior to mailing the ticket into the court.
Once an officer issues a ticket, there is no reason to argue the ticket with the officer as the officer is unable to take the ticket back or make it just go away. The traffic violation must be dealt with by the court moving forward.
When the traffic stop is complete and the officer is back in their vehicle, you may start your vehicle and get ready to merge back onto the roadway.
It’s very important to remember that police officers have a job to do and part of that job is to make sure that drivers are following traffic laws. This is what helps keep drivers safe. When you maintain a level of respect and politeness when pulled over, the stress of the situation is lowered, for both the driver and the police officer.
