Whether you’re having a good day or a bad one, getting pulled over is a really stressful experience. If you manage to stay calm and you know what you shouldn’t do, you should end up having a much better experience. This will ease the experience for you and the cops, so hopefully, you’ll be off home in no time.
Let’s take a look at some of the things you should always avoid doing at a traffic stop.
Making Sudden Movements
Quick or unexpected movements can make an officer feel really unsafe whether you mean to or not. When they approach your vehicle, always keep your hands visible, preferably on the steering wheel. If you need to reach for your license or something else that they ask you for, just let the officer know first.
Diving into your glove box or under your seat could be seen as a threat. This will put your safety at risk because the office will be thinking about keeping themselves safe, too.
Ignoring Instructions
Traffic stops are definitely not the time to argue or ignore an officer’s requests. If they ask you to provide identification, always do everything they say and be polite. Officers rely on cooperation to make sure they have control of the situation.
If an officer isn’t in control, they might feel unsafe or unable to keep you safe. Ignoring their orders can also lead to legal consequences, so be careful before you decide to do something you’re not supposed to.
Being Argumentative or Aggressive
Even if you feel upset or believe the stop is unfair, arguing with an officer on the side of the road will never make things better. Keep your tone polite and respectful, and don’t raise your voice unless you want to go to jail. Officers go through a lot of these situations daily, so staying calm will help them stay calm as well. If you disagree with a ticket or accusation, you can always contest it later in court.
Reaching for Weapons or Items Without Warning
Are you carrying a legal firearm or other personal protection items? Always make sure the officer knows as soon as you can tell them. You don’t need to show them unless you are told to. Reaching for any item that could be mistaken for a weapon can immediately raise alarm. Instead, follow their instructions and always let the officer understand your intentions before you do anything.
Refusing to Identify Yourself
Failing to show proper identification during a traffic stop can be a really bad choice. In most states, you have to provide a valid driver’s license when requested. Otherwise, you’re breaking the law. Not only this but refusing to do what they tell you to might escalate tensions or even lead to further legal trouble.
If you’ve forgotten your license or ID, that’s completely fine. Just let the officer know because honesty is much better than evasion.
Making Jokes or Sarcastic Comments
A traffic stop isn’t the time to crack jokes and it definitely isn’t the time to be rude. Sarcastic remarks or quips can easily be misread as disrespectful or even suspicious. Officers are focused on the safety of both of you, so don’t make their job harder; keep your responses polite and clear. A professional, calm tone works best, even if you’re frustrated. The last thing you want is for them to make your day even worse.
Fumbling for Documents
If you’re fumbling around your car to find your documents, it can look disorganized and even suspicious. You should always keep your essential documents in an easily accessible spot so you’re prepared if you ever get pulled over. If you can’t find something right away, just tell the officer in a calm voice, and they will most likely be patient with you until you find what you’re looking for.
Exiting Your Vehicle Without Permission
Jumping out of your car unexpectedly is a terrible idea. It can raise alarms for any officer approaching you and make them question whether they are safe. Most stops are handled with drivers remaining seated, so don’t leave your car unless you are told to do so. Keep your hands visible, stay seated, and calmly comply if you are told to exit.
Attempting to Speed Off
Driving away during a traffic stop is illegal and dangerous, and it will never end well for you or anyone else in your car. You might feel scared, but running away will only make things worse. If you get yourself into a high-speed chase, you’re not only putting yourself at risk, you’re endangering hundreds of other people on the road. It’s far better to stay put and face whatever comes because when you do get caught, the repercussions will be far worse because you tried to run.
Providing False Information
Lying about your name, vehicle details, or even your driving history is a massive mistake. Officers can see everything when they go to verify your information, so your lies really won’t get you anywhere. If there’s an issue, such as an expired license, just own up to it.
You’ll probably still get a citation, but the consequences will be far less severe than being caught in a lie.
Touching or Blocking the Officer’s Path
This really shouldn’t be a surprise, but touching an officer or their equipment is an easy way to get put in jail, or worse, you could get hurt. No matter your intentions, this will never end well for you, and you could end up being prosecuted for whatever action you committed.
Even getting in an officer’s way is strictly forbidden. If you want to stay safe and out of jail, giving officers space to do their job safely is a good idea.
Arguing About the Law
Arguing about the law should be kept for when you see your lawyer. It really won’t help anyone if you decide to do it on the side of the road. It’s not a place to contest a ticket or argue your case. Staying civil, following instructions, and saving any disputes for later will help keep the stop brief and uneventful. It should also help you if you manage to comply respectfully and calmly.
Failing to Communicate Clearly
Bad communication is a great way to make your day longer. Not only does it create confusion, but it could also be considered as withholding information. Answer questions calmly and honestly, and let them know clearly before you do anything.
If you’re unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. A little transparency can go a long way toward avoiding misunderstandings. It will help keep everyone in the situation safe and happy.
Hiding Items or Throwing Things Away
Trying to hide or throw something out of your car during a stop is a surefire way to attract suspicion. Officers are trained to watch for this behavior, so don’t think you’re going to get away with it. It may even lead to further investigation and a battle in court. Acting shady will only escalate matters unnecessarily, so always be honest and don’t try to fool the cops.
Interrupting the Officer
Always let the officer talk first, explain why you were stopped, and ask you for any information they need. Interrupting or jumping in with objections can make you seem defensive or uncooperative. It’s also very unlikely to speed up the process, and it certainly won’t make the officer change their mind. Staying patient shows maturity and sets a positive tone for the entire encounter.