We’ve all been there. Sitting in the driver’s seat when blue and red lights begin to flash directly behind us on the road. Sometimes it’s obvious, other times it’s a surprise, and either way, the mission is clear when it happens… get out of the ticket(s). So today, we ask you: what’s your go-to move when you get pulled over?
Granted, not everyone has had their own run-in(s) with the law and to you saints, I’ll just say, congrats. And please don’t brag too loudly. For the rest of us, it’s almost a rite of passage to deal with traffic officers from time to time. I’d reckon a guess that we all sort of get used to a specific course of action over the years.
Here’s mine: When the lights flip on I do my best to pull over to the safest spot I can possibly find as quickly as possible. In fact, the last time an officer of the law pulled me over I actually took the time to exit the highway completely before pulling over which I don’t think he loved. At the same time, I’m not about to sit on the side of the highway while cars whizz by at 80 mph+ if I don’t have to.
Next, I roll down my windows, turn off the car, and typically place my hands on the wheel or even on the window sill. This move actually had an officer once ask me why I did it and I simply said “I know you feel safer if you can see my hands,” which I hope is accurate. It’s worth admitting that if it’s nighttime and the officer shines his spotlight in my driver’s mirror I intentionally position it away so that it’s not in my eyes the whole time (I used to try and make it reflect into the cab of the patrol car. Avoid this move).
These may not be the steps you thought we were talking about but here’s why I bring them up: I’m trying to disarm the officer (not literally and physically, obviously). I’m trying to get them on my side a little bit and help them see me as a normal person, not a suspect.
In some cases, that seems to work well. I’ve received a handful of warnings in the past for both warranted and (in my opinion) unwarranted stops. In other cases, nothing seemed to matter. One time, after several years of maintaining a clean record, a motorcycle police officer pulled me over for going 37 in a 35. He claimed that I was in a temporary 25 mph school zone (from 7 am – 3 pm) and wrote the ticket despite my pleas to let me go with a warning. Did it matter that it was June and school wasn’t in session? Of course not.
If I had to simplify my “go-to move,” however, it would simply be: be honest. Once, over a decade ago, I was pulled over for what the police would call street racing (I’d call it enthusiastic but responsible enjoyment of a sporting automobile), and I’ll admit that I was for sure at least five mph over the local limit. The Camaro driver following me was also probably over the speed limit. I couldn’t see all the way back behind me where the Camaro was, but it’s a solid guess. In any case, three officers pulled up behind my WRX, and when one approached the door, I just owned it.
“What were you doing?” the officer asked. “Being an idiot,” I replied. Not more than ten minutes later I was driving away with not even a written warning.
What’s your go-to move when you’re pulled over? Are you just straightforward with the officer(s)? Do you have a specific excuse for different perceived infractions? Do you crack your window six inches and tell the officer that you’re not driving, but instead that you’re traveling? Tell us in the comments and don’t try that last one. It doesn’t usually end well.
Top image: screen grab, Super Troopers; Fox/YouTube
You wanna have an interesting traffic stop and a story you can tell for the rest of your life?
You look that officer right in the eye and say “I bet I can grab your gun.”
*Disclaimer* This could lead to “the rest of your life” being very brief if you get the wrong officer.
I’ll usually offer them a hit from the bong so we can just be a little more chill about the situation. Only if they’re cool though…
Too damned bad for him. You [as the driver] are fully justified in looking out for your own safety and comfort level; it’s not all about the cop.
I was pulled over on base a long time ago; it was early evening and I made a left turn into a parking lot to stop. Cop got dickish about it and said “You’re supposed to pull over to the right!”. I said “There’s a six-inch drop on the shoulder and this way we’re completely off the road.” He grumbled but didn’t give me a ticket.
I don’t really understand why he’d even be upset. Does he want to get out of his car on the side of a road with traffic going past at 80?
Be calm, civil, forthcoming and honest. In heavy holiday traffic on I 75 I got pinged doing 97 in a 70 zone trying to pass a left lane hog swinging from 55 to 65 at best. Got a warning.
I have my driver license, registration and insurance ready in my hand with the window down, not saying a word. I save those 3 in my sun visor so its a quick process. “Impeding traffic” all the time….a nice way to save you from points on your driver license
In addition to all the good stuff already out there…don’t admit you were aware of whatever the illegal thing was.
Instead, plead distraction from the speedometer by watching something on the road, the unsafe guy that blasted by you a mile back, etc. as for why you didn’t notice how fast you were going. Obviously, this only works in some cases, like if you weren’t egregiously street racing or it’s not a planned speed trap.
Many police will give you the benefit of the doubt if they can. But if you outright admit to doing the bad thing, you’re kinda boxing them in in terms of using that discretion.
I like to aggressively and quickly reach for the glove box with no warning.
Just kidding. I turn off the engine, turn on the cab light, and leave my hands on the steering wheel, remaining calm while the officer does his bit.
And make sure you have a squirt gun in hand to spray them with when they get to the window. They would find that really funny and just leave you off with a warning. This would definitely not end with you in a much worse situation and more holes added to your body nope not at all.
I prefer to hold my gun out the window and pop off a round or two so they are aware I am armed, and won’t have any unpleasant surprises.
In Europe, if you are pulled over and are at fault, you get a fine. That’s it.
How predictable and boring! I’ve been pulled over dozens of time and only had one ticket. I love the THRILL of getting out of the ticket.
What, no assault? No asphyxiation? No shooting? Stupid socialists…
Car off, both front windows down, my hands crossed on the top of the wheel with all my paperwork in ’em.
I do my best to leave no situation where I could be construed as reaching for something.
Yep: windows open, car off, keys on dash. Lean right grabbing wallet first, then registration & insurance papers from glove compartment, leave it open.
Wallet & papers on dash & hands back on the wheel and visible.
Haven’t had a ticket in 15 years now, but, given my lack of TCS, my answer to the officer’s question will likely be, “Blatant buffoonery? Or, maybe, Incitement to Idiocy?”
Don’t be an asshole (thanks Chris Rock), explain what I was doing, admit not guilt, Appeal at court to keep the insurance rates down. I drive the same everyday, seem to get ticketed every few years.
19 year old me once got pulled over 3 times in one day between Denver and Dallas. Each time, I adjusted the neckline of my shirt a bit downward, fluttered my eyelashes and played the dumb girl card. Granted, I was a stupid girl. Worked on 2 of the 3, but there was no escaping the 110 in an 80 ticket. 36 year old me recognizes that I’m no longer cute like that, so I got nuthin now.
We all have to slow down with age. 😉
Andrea, stop it. You are still cute! You have to adjust the tone a little bit, but dammit, your cleavage is still young!
eta: I feel like the cleavage comment was creepy and maybe clarifying that I am a similarly aged woman would de-creepify it a bit?
I appreciate the cleavage solidarity!
I once got pulled over for pulling over. I was driving on a busy suburban artery when I hear emergency vehicles coming up behind me. I pulled over and put my four ways on so they knew I was clear of them. Just as I was about to pull out after they passed, I heard a patrol car signal me from behind, so I just stayed there assuming they wanted the road kept clear. The officer came to my window with the “do you know why I pulled you over?” line. I really didn’t and was about to say something sarcastic like “because of my open beer?”.
He said “did you notice anything about the other traffic on the road?” I said “honestly not, what did I miss”. He said I was the only vehicle to pull over and he thanked me. Totally funny/sad experience.
So the obvious question is why didn’t he go after the people who didn’t.
It was a Peel Region officer, the others weren’t going fast enough for the chase to be interesting enough for him.
Good stuff, I do all of that too. I would add that reminding the cop about the relationship between your tax dollars and his or her salary is not a smart move.
Every cop has two personalities- his or her own normal personality, and “hardass mode” that they switch into when dealing with pushback from a perp. My goal is to never let the cop trip over into “hardass mode”.
Be a clean-cut white male. (snark intended)
Stay calm and polite with hands on wheel
apologize
It has worked for me many times.
That first one is for real.
Like you said, be as polite and respectful as possible, even if you don’t get a warning it will go easier on you if you take it to court. If you’re confrontational the officer is going to document EVERYTHING, if you’re being polite they may do that thing where you were going 88 in a 60 but they mark it as 69 in a 60, it’s still a speeding ticket but at least you can take defensive driving.
The other bit of advice I heard years ago and it’s actually helped me, document the entire experience. Don’t do this while the cop is standing right next to you but there’s going to be 5-10 mins when they go back to their car to run your ID and while they’re back there write down (or type into your phone) as many details as you can think of. Location, speed, cars around you, weather, where the cop was when you passed, if anything possibly blocked their view, what they’re wearing, etc. If you do decide to fight the ticket in court your hearing will be several months later and this will certainly help your memory of events.
+1 for this.
I wrote down verbatim what the officer said and what I said after each interaction.
I was young and had time so I went to court.
In court I read to the judge what I wrote down vs what the cop testified to under oath.
Judge asked my how fast was I going, I said 6 over. Judge granted that with no points and simply a fine for 6 over.
The cop was so pissed that he confronted me outside the courtroom. I said “Next time don’t lie on the stand” and I walked away with a big smile.
Hate to break it to you, but if you just show up at court, they will likely drop the points and keep the fine. They just want their money. That’s it. It’s not about safety, it’s not about anything other than paying for their expensive constantly idling SUVs and pretend military cosplay gear.
This is true. We don’t have points in Texas but we definitely have the fines. If you opt for defensive driving it keeps the ticket off your record, which keeps you car insurance low, but you’ll find an administrative fee that equals exactly the same amount as if you’d just paid the fine, plus extra court fees. It’s 1000% about the money and nothing about safety.
Turn on dome light, get license out, hold it in my hands on top of the steering wheel where the cop can see both my hands not moving. Then be polite as possible, while they tell me that me going 70mph in a 55 is literally endangering everyone and I am practically hitler even though my car has upgraded rotors, pads, stainless brake lines, H&R suspension, bilsteins, and Z rated tires. Yup. I am such a public threat.
Despite being polite, they almost always give me a ticket, which is when I decide to waste their time and tell them about the montana speed limit paradox, and how eliminating the speed limit and letting people drive at speeds they felt comfortable at led to an all time LOW deathrate, and when they reinstated the speed limit, the death rate skyrocketed. So then I explain how them writing me tickets actually isn’t keeping anyone safe, and they’re just tax collectors with badges harassing the general public so they can afford their psuedo military hardware and gas guzzling cars that they idle 24-7. I try to waste as much of their time as possible, since they’re extorting money from me for harming nobody, based off from rules that were set when cars had leaf springs, drum brakes, bias ply tires, and lap belts.
I hate cops.
Don’t waste your time convincing the cop, go to court instead. You’re clearly smart enough to defend yourself so you should totally do that. Remember, you’re right, they’re wrong so really show your passion and the righteousness of your cause by projecting your voice so the whole building can enjoy the sound of it.
Make sure to mention to the court ad nauseum your upgraded rotors, pads, stainless brake lines, H&R suspension, bilsteins, and Z rated tires and how they enable you to defy not only the laws of man but the very laws of physics. Really hammer this point home. Also be sure to mention how you are the worlds best driver with far superior reaction times to the “rolling roadblocks” (be sure to use that term) driving the posted speed limit like the soulless, dead eyed husks of humanity they are.
Wrap it up with a lengthy, well rehearsed tirade about the Montana speed limit paradox, and how eliminating the speed limit and letting people drive at speeds they felt comfortable at led to an all time LOW deathrate*, and when they reinstated the speed limit, the death rate skyrocketed… How how writing tickets actually isn’t keeping anyone safe, and how cops and the court are just tax collector drones harassing the general public so they can pay for psuedo military cop hardware and gas guzzling cop cars that idle 24-7. Remind them how your tax dollars pay their salary so they are obligated to listen to you.
Surely you will change many minds, be recognized by the court with thunderous applause and receive a sorrowful apology from the cop for having wasted your valuable time.
/s
*2003 was the all time low: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Keller-7/publication/268359369/figure/fig12/AS:668699707056128@1536441842014/Crash-fatality-rate-for-Montana-to-illustrate-safety-asymptote-5.png
https://ww2.motorists.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/speed-limit-fact-sheet.pdf
Appreciate the sarcasm, but licking boots gets you nowhere with me. Speed limits are PAINFULLY outdated, they keep them low because of revenue. It’s not about safety.
Can you explain how having equipment that would allow the vehicle to operate at high speeds makes you less of a public threat?
Ever had a car feel ‘floaty’ at 100mph+? And ever have one feel ‘planted’? Aero is part of it, but suspension design and components are a huge factor. Better response/handling/braking is safer.
The vehicle should not be going that fast on public roads. The driver is still a public threat, even if the vehicle handles better at that speed than it would without modifications.
The defendant who asks the court for leniency because he has optimized the vehicle for illegal, unsafe speeds is not doing himself a favor.
I assure you 70mph on a highway with no traffic in a rural area is a safe speed.
https://ww2.motorists.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/speed-limit-fact-sheet.pdf
You just cited 100+ mph. I will not have a discussion with someone who moves the goalposts.
I cited 100mph as an arbitrary number to explain floaty vs planted.
The 70mph I just referenced was a $240 ticket I received on a 55mph rural highway without any other cars visible for a very long time, other than the cop.
Goal posts aren’t moving. But even 100mph on a divided highway is plenty safe in most modern cars.
Well this is a bit of an Uno reverse card.
Years ago I had a Crown Vic P71 former police car. Unmarked, but it still had the pushbar and a big whip antenna so it looked like it meant business. I swapped in a Town Car interior and it became the ultimate road trip machine. Comfy as heck, and traffic on the highway got out of my way as if I was Moses.
Anyway, one day I’m on the highway and see an in-service P71 behind me. Not thinking much of it, I take my exit and as I’m navigating the off ramps, I notice he’s following me. And as I get to the end of the ramp, I see two other police cars with their lights going and a few officers standing around. One of them makes eye contact with me and directs me to pull over next to them.
Uh oh.
My heart is doing double-time, and I figure I’m about to be arrested for impersonation or something. The officers take their time coming up to me, but eventually an officer comes up to my window and does a bit of a double take. He says, “oh, uh, we had called for backup and we thought you were it.”
Needless to say, I got home that day and immediately listed the car for sale. Didn’t need that kind of stress in my life anymore. Great car though. I miss it sometimes.
You should have just went with and said you are undercover. This would have obviously led to the plot of some goofy comedy movie and not you ending up in trouble.
I make sure I say “meow” as many times as I can.
Really tho… just pull over, and have my license, registration, and POI in my hand ready to give to him. I’ve never been cited any time I’ve been pulled over, even for 20+ over the speed limit. But, I’m a middle-aged white guy – I don’t think this would play out the same for everybody.
Am I saying “meow”? Do I look like a cat to you? Am I jumping all nimbly bimbly from tree to tree? Do you see me eating mice?
I feel like there might be vastly different answers to this depending on skin tone. What works for some may not work well at all for others, ya know?
As for me, I was taught to pull the keys out and put them on the dash and my hands on the wheel so the cop can see them. I also keep an old military ID behind my drivers license so that when I pull my license out, hopefully the cop sees the (very old) military ID.
Yeah the calculus is different depending on who and where you are.
Love the military ID tactic, that’s good stuff.
Pretty much in line with you, its pull over quickly, making sure to signal my intentions. All windows down, car off (keys on dash if normal key N/A if push start), and hands on the wheel. I don’t reach for a single thing, wait until the cop approaches, and when asking for license and registration, ask for permission to reach for glovebox and wallet in pocket. I don’t carry any weapons on me, but if you do, disclose them immediately, and ask the cop what they’d like to do about it.
I knew a handful of cops growing up, and they told me to do exactly this. It signals to them that you are doing everything you can to be predictable, but also that you recognize the concerns they may have doing things differently. I’m not going to get into any debates over “should cops be scared of you during a traffic stop or vice versa” just that this is the sentiment I have heard from multiple cops. Been pulled over a few times for what should’ve been open and shut tickets, but worst I’ve gotten is a written warning, usually just a verbal.
The things cops hate most on traffic stops is sudden, unpredictable moves. Anything you can do to lower their blood pressure will directly correlate to what if any ticket you get.
Yep. “I’m going to reach for my wallet now so I can show you my license. It is in my back pocket. Ok? Good. I’m going to reach now.
Now I’m going to reach for my registration. It is in the glove compartment. Ok? Great.”
You have to treat them like bears or spiders. More scared of you than you are of them, but still able to fuck your entire life up if you encounter the wrong one.
Yeo that’s the exact conversation I have every time, and it never fails. Usually I even get a “thank you for asking, most people don’t” thrown in. As with every interaction in life, being at a minimum kind and courteous will get you a lot more than being confrontational, and cops are the extreme of this.
It’s funny how it’s (being kind/courteous) true now more than it’s ever been.
We’re such a rage-obsessed, hair-trigger society now that simply treating others like fellow human beings can get you all sorts of things; it’s amazing how disarming simply decency can be.
Exactly this, a thousand times over. I’ve had this conversation with colleagues/coworkers at every job I’ve had, and with numerous friends. If you’re calm, understanding, and can show what’s wrong, I will do everything in my power to help, and go above and beyond. If you come out swinging, yelling and cursing, I will do the absolute bare minimum.
Companies are desperate for all business, but some customers are too expensive for the money they bring in. A repeat customer with issues with their *insert any product here* that buys in small quantities will eat up far too many resources, compared to someone that will silently and happily buy *product* as needed, and work with you when something goes wrong.
I’m a very firm believer that no matter your industry, profession, or level, honesty, respect and courtesy will always get your further than the alternative in the long run.
The last two paragraphs are key. A state trooper was murdered during a traffic stop here some 40 years ago, and local media went on an extensive education campaign. Gone were the days when you jumped out and sauntered over to the officer!
Predictability and smoothness are key; you’re right.
Not disagreeing with you here, but I would think twice about letting them know you’re armed, as people have been killed for that admission alone.
Advice I have always been told by cops is telling them you have a firearm or similar in the glovebox where your registration is is generally a better call, given if you reach for registration, and a cop sees a gun with no clue what you’re doing, you’re liable to get hit with a taser immediately at best. Not that I necessarily agree with that approach, but given how hard some cops these days react at something even remotely firearm shaped, I’d rather them know. That said, I have no desire to carry, on my person or in my vehicle, because it just causes more hard and headache than good.
take
it
out
I live in Seattle proper, there are no police here to pull you over. Absolutely zero traffic enforcement whatsoever. Actually driving around the area and seeing a police car is a rare event. (non downtown areas) I went from Ballard, to Georgetown, to Lake City, and then back to Ballard yesterday and didn’t see a single police car.
I just try to be polite. Weirdest thing though I had a cop that was a complete ass to me yelling at me for speeding and everything. He was riding my ass and I launched at a light to get over to let him over but nope Christmas tree lt up but no ticket. I have had some cops that were really nice and understandable but still give tickets soo *shrug*. Also had a cop that drove into on coming traffic to give me a speeding ticket like umm yes that is safe sir.
What do you expect, they barely passed high school and had like at least 3 weeks of training…
Yeah and probably the reason why you get some cops that are a little to gung-ho. And being a person that conceal carries (Indiana doesn’t report this to state police and they have dropped their carry license requirement) I always have a concern about being pulled over and having a cop that has temperament problems but again reason why I just try to stay calm and give them no reason to be upset with me. I would say for me it is has been 50/50 I either get nice cop or Judge Dredd I am the law.
Q: What is your go-to move when getting pulled over?
A: Officer, this vehicle is a bicycle.
https://i.imgur.com/bygu75s.jpg
Be glad you’re not in Toronto. Our police waste their time ticketing cyclists in High Park. At the same time they ignore the plethora of cyclists and e-bikes (many that are practically motorcycles) riding all over busy sidewalks.
I like to start by slippin a nip, just to let them know that I’ve got another if things get serious.
(insert peter griffin slipping nip to cop)
Giggety giggety giggety
Throw in a chicken suit and you’ve got a date.