That's going to go over well...
I'm no lawyer but I'd advise against that as it will just be used against you. An officer is not a judge or jury. It's up to one of the latter two to determine your guilt.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
What do you do when you're being pulled over?
- Thread starter moonman239
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Missing Option: Stay in the car, and see if it is someone you know.
Another Missing Option: Stay in the car, and see if it is a relative.
No joke about the second one. True story from me.
I was 16 years old, and 3 weeks into having my driver's license. I'm driving a couple of friends of mine to one of the two major shopping malls in Omaha at that time. Keep in mind, I was still overly cautious as a new driver (as you should be). Anyway, the way to that mall takes you down the busiest street in Omaha.
So I'm driving down that, and obeying every law I remember from the state's manual, plus the test, plus Driver's Ed class. Next thing I see, there's a police car behind me. I get a bit nervous but continue about my way.. next thing I notice, he's lit up his lights and is pulling me over.
I tell my friends to shut up because we're getting pulled over, and they start to panic. But then again, I think about it.. I'm 5 miles under the speed limit, all of our seatbelts are on, I'm signaling every turn and lane change, and I'm alert and vigilant on what things to do and look ahead for problems. And the more I think about it, the more pissed off I'm getting. So while my friends are ******** bricks in the car, I'm mad, tell them that I got this, and roll down my window.
Keep in mind, this is Saturday afternoon, on the busiest street in Omaha.
I don't even wait for the cop to ask for anything after asking for license and registration. I just lay into him.
The cop takes off those ugly arsed sheriff's shades, takes off his hat, looks me straight in the face, and says:
Yes. You guessed it. My father pulled me over in the middle of freakin' Saturday Afternoon traffic in Omaha, Nebraska.. just to ask me what I wanted for dinner!
Didn't speak to him for a week, let alone mention how close we came to having to pay for car upholstery cleaning.
It's funny now, but still pisses me off.
So what do I do? Stay in the car, but ask for the officer's name. You never know when you might know the person who pulled you over. Chances are you won't get off for whatever happened, but at least it will make the experience friendlier.
BL.
Another Missing Option: Stay in the car, and see if it is a relative.
No joke about the second one. True story from me.
I was 16 years old, and 3 weeks into having my driver's license. I'm driving a couple of friends of mine to one of the two major shopping malls in Omaha at that time. Keep in mind, I was still overly cautious as a new driver (as you should be). Anyway, the way to that mall takes you down the busiest street in Omaha.
So I'm driving down that, and obeying every law I remember from the state's manual, plus the test, plus Driver's Ed class. Next thing I see, there's a police car behind me. I get a bit nervous but continue about my way.. next thing I notice, he's lit up his lights and is pulling me over.
I tell my friends to shut up because we're getting pulled over, and they start to panic. But then again, I think about it.. I'm 5 miles under the speed limit, all of our seatbelts are on, I'm signaling every turn and lane change, and I'm alert and vigilant on what things to do and look ahead for problems. And the more I think about it, the more pissed off I'm getting. So while my friends are ******** bricks in the car, I'm mad, tell them that I got this, and roll down my window.
Keep in mind, this is Saturday afternoon, on the busiest street in Omaha.
I don't even wait for the cop to ask for anything after asking for license and registration. I just lay into him.
The cop takes off those ugly arsed sheriff's shades, takes off his hat, looks me straight in the face, and says:
Yes. You guessed it. My father pulled me over in the middle of freakin' Saturday Afternoon traffic in Omaha, Nebraska.. just to ask me what I wanted for dinner!
Didn't speak to him for a week, let alone mention how close we came to having to pay for car upholstery cleaning.
It's funny now, but still pisses me off.
So what do I do? Stay in the car, but ask for the officer's name. You never know when you might know the person who pulled you over. Chances are you won't get off for whatever happened, but at least it will make the experience friendlier.
BL.
My brother lives in an "everybody knows everybody" small town. Most of us out of towners know it as a speed trap town. Anyhow, he gets pulled over for speeding at least once a month. He never gets written up.
Donuts. The trick is to toss a few donuts out the window. They'll stop to pick them up. By the time they get back in the car, you'll be long gone and ticket free.
In all seriousness, though, always carry a gift card with you. Im thinking, $50 value. When the cop asks for a drivers license and proof of insurance, slip the gift card between the two before handing them over. Theyll then head back to their car like normal. What should hopefully happen next is, a few moments later, he or she will return to give you back your license and insurance info (sans gift card) and send you on your way with something like, be safe, have a nice day. Though I havent had the opportunity to try this, yet, Im thinking this should get you out of a ticket. Its worth a try, regardless.
- As well it should, if I am guilty. If I am speeding, driving recklessly, running a red light, etc., then I deserve the appropriate punishment.
I think it's a great idea, and you should DEFINITELY try it.
Do be sure to write after the trial and let us know how it works out.
Yeah, because bribing a law enforcement officer is a great idea and probably legal in most states. Good luck!
"I'm sorry officer, I didn't know I couldn't do that"
CHIP NO!
As with so many things in life, you're interacting with a human being. While people would like to think that they can influence any and all transactions with other humans, there are times when nothing you do or say will alter that transaction.
That is, you're getting this ticket no matter what you do.
On the other hand, for some tickets, you're getting out of it unless you do something totally daft.
You simply won't know in advance which situation will apply.
For the first category, perhaps the officer was stationed there on purpose, having been told by his sergeant to watch for violations. You're getting the ticket. Late in the "activity" cycle? You're getting the ticket. Agency needs revenues? You're getting the ticket.
(No agency wants to admit to quotas so now it's called an "activity" metric. X tickets, Y warnings, Z motorist assists, etc)
For the second category, it could be an emergency call that just came in after you were stopped. Nearly all officers will drop you like a hot rock and respond to the real emergency. Or you were stopped during a busy time of night because they couldn't just "let it go" so they stop you to give an oral warning. Or they don't have their ticket book handy (it happens for non-traffic units).
Since you don't know in advance, might as well treat them all the same. No disrespect, be calm, but don't admit guilt either. Play mildly dumb (unless your violation was over the top). Don't offer any documentation before it's asked for. They'll ask "do you know why I stopped you" and that's to make their life easier - if you admit you were speeding, then that's pretty much an automatic conviction right there. Simply saying "I don't honestly know" is not a bad card to play. Heck, you could admit so something that he didn't pull you over for, further complicating things.
In many cases, the difference between a warning and a ticket is pre-decided early, much of the deciding factors out of your control.
Nicely enough, my state doesn't care that much - if I get a ticket I can go on "supervision" and pay a course fee for traffic skool, and if I don't get another ticket in 6 months, then it's totally wiped.
CHIP NO!
As with so many things in life, you're interacting with a human being. While people would like to think that they can influence any and all transactions with other humans, there are times when nothing you do or say will alter that transaction.
That is, you're getting this ticket no matter what you do.
On the other hand, for some tickets, you're getting out of it unless you do something totally daft.
You simply won't know in advance which situation will apply.
For the first category, perhaps the officer was stationed there on purpose, having been told by his sergeant to watch for violations. You're getting the ticket. Late in the "activity" cycle? You're getting the ticket. Agency needs revenues? You're getting the ticket.
(No agency wants to admit to quotas so now it's called an "activity" metric. X tickets, Y warnings, Z motorist assists, etc)
For the second category, it could be an emergency call that just came in after you were stopped. Nearly all officers will drop you like a hot rock and respond to the real emergency. Or you were stopped during a busy time of night because they couldn't just "let it go" so they stop you to give an oral warning. Or they don't have their ticket book handy (it happens for non-traffic units).
Since you don't know in advance, might as well treat them all the same. No disrespect, be calm, but don't admit guilt either. Play mildly dumb (unless your violation was over the top). Don't offer any documentation before it's asked for. They'll ask "do you know why I stopped you" and that's to make their life easier - if you admit you were speeding, then that's pretty much an automatic conviction right there. Simply saying "I don't honestly know" is not a bad card to play. Heck, you could admit so something that he didn't pull you over for, further complicating things.
In many cases, the difference between a warning and a ticket is pre-decided early, much of the deciding factors out of your control.
Nicely enough, my state doesn't care that much - if I get a ticket I can go on "supervision" and pay a course fee for traffic skool, and if I don't get another ticket in 6 months, then it's totally wiped.
Hey now. Law enforcement is not the most lucrative of jobs. They could use a little bit of a thank you gift, now and then, for the service that they do. Thats why I advocate a gift card over cash. Cash can be more easily misconstrued as a bribe. We wouldnt want that. Its a lot easier to say, oops, how did that get in there? with a gift card than with cash.
Heres another idea
.maybe pick up a thank you card from Hallmark and put a gift card in there
all ready to go should the need arise. Just tossing ideas out there.
Hey now. Law enforcement is not the most lucrative of jobs. They could use a little bit of a thank you gift, now and then, for the service that they do. Thats why I advocate a gift card over cash. Cash can be more easily misconstrued as a bribe. We wouldnt want that. Its a lot easier to say, oops, how did that get in there? with a gift card than with cash.
Just tossing ideas out there.
You miss the point. Bribing a LEO or any federal officer is illegal. No matter what the intent or situation is, it is illegal. Your actions when getting pulled over would be nothing compared to being arrested and thrown in jail for that.
BL.
If the LEO is going to let you off with a warning he or she at least needs a reason to do so. Not even knowing you were speeding (for example) is not a reason and makes you look incompetent as well as a speeder. I wouldn't want to be responsible for letting that person off with a warning.
Admitting you were speeding but adding that you believed you were in full control of your vehicle in the conditions at hand shows you were aware of the situation and own your own actions.
I am talking about a situation where you know you were in the wrong. I don't see the point in worrying about fighting such a citation, should you receive one.
Michael
I cut a cop off in the rain and be went off the road...
Boy they're fast coming after you! He made me step out of the car and approach his car. Then he saw I had football practice clothes on, chewed me out, and bid me farewell.
(I told him I couldn't see around my bros big head when I pulled out)
I'm always honest and a bit funny...pulled 3 times but nothing.
Boy they're fast coming after you! He made me step out of the car and approach his car. Then he saw I had football practice clothes on, chewed me out, and bid me farewell.
(I told him I couldn't see around my bros big head when I pulled out)
I'm always honest and a bit funny...pulled 3 times but nothing.
Pull over to a safe place where we aren't in danger of being run down, roll down the window and say "I have my concealed in the car on my hip" before the cop even says a word.
I have been pulled over A LOT in my years of driving mainly because I had a fairly fast sports car at a young age. I have probably been given as many warnings and let go as I have received tickets.
I indicate I know the officer wants me to pull over by turning my hazard lights on. Then, I look for a safe and hopefully well-lit place to pull over. I roll my window down, kill the car, and wait with my hands on the steering wheel. Since I ride with a pistol in my car, I tell the officer about it at the first convenient moment (not gonna mention it if he just tells me to slow down and go on my way).
Never once had an issue with a stop when doing things this way. It has worked with several different town officers, parish sheriff deputies, and state troopers.
I indicate I know the officer wants me to pull over by turning my hazard lights on. Then, I look for a safe and hopefully well-lit place to pull over. I roll my window down, kill the car, and wait with my hands on the steering wheel. Since I ride with a pistol in my car, I tell the officer about it at the first convenient moment (not gonna mention it if he just tells me to slow down and go on my way).
Never once had an issue with a stop when doing things this way. It has worked with several different town officers, parish sheriff deputies, and state troopers.
No I didn't. I'm not actually advocating bribary and would never try it, myself.
I have plenty of friends and family who are or were law enforcement officers. So, I'm familiar with the reality of things. I was purposefully being over the top in my suggestions and ideas. I cant imagine anyone would actually try these ideas.
That said, I think most people wouldnt mind being able to pay off an officer to avoid getting a ticket. Though, that could easily be abused by an unscrupulous officer, purposely pulling people over to goad or essentially force people into paying. Its too easy to abuse and ruins it for everyone hence why its illegal.
I don't have a car, but if I did, and I was being pulled over, I would pull over and follow all instructions politely.
Some people will ask "what about if he/she asks you to step out of the vehicle unlawfully like they do so often?"
Answer: They don't do that to people who are politely following their instructions.
Some people will ask "what about if he/she asks you to step out of the vehicle unlawfully like they do so often?"
Answer: They don't do that to people who are politely following their instructions.
I don't have a car, but if I did, and I was being pulled over, I would pull over and follow all instructions politely.
Some people will ask "what about if he/she asks you to step out of the vehicle unlawfully like they do so often?"
Answer: They don't do that to people who are politely following their instructions.
This is, by and far, the best approach. You want to get off with a warning? Just do what you need to do, and get it done and over with.
I've had my fair share of being pulled over, and I've never had much of a problem with it. I roll down my window, turn on the cabin lights (if it's dark), get my ID out, then put my hands at 10 and 2. Don't act like you're scared of them, and don't act like you're kissing their ass. Just answer the questions, and move on. More often than not, I get off with a warning.
Though I do have to admit that I'm probably pretty luck in the sense that I've only had one run-in with a gung-ho bully cop. The rest have been pretty alright.
We never had quotas, we could write as many tickets as we wanted.
However, I did tell a foul-mouthed motorists who was yammering on about quotas to hurry up and sign the cite because I only needed two more to win a toaster.
Lawmakers in Illinois are actually attempting to put forth a law to abolish ticket quotas in State and Municipal law enforcement. The proposed law goes into more detail but this would essentially remove ticket quotas from officers and departments performance metrics. This should eliminate the pressure on officers of issuing citations just so they can meet their quota and avoid facing negative marks/reprimands. For us citizens, this would mean that officers will have more leeway in issuing warnings instead of actual tickets/citations.
I hope our lawmakers are sensible enough to pass this. Its one of the rare laws that our crappy Illinois lawmakers are proposing which is actually good. Then, hopefully, the other States will follow suit.
I've been pulled over a couple of times, when I drove an old car with a foreign license plate here in Europe. No ticket or anything, they just checked my insurance and rego.
What I do before is to try to do everything according to the law so I don't get pulled over.
A question: assuming I'm driving and the cops tell me to pull over, and it's not a safe place, what's the right thing to do? Slow down with the turn indicators on so that there's no doubt I'll comply until I find a place, or simply stop?
What I do before is to try to do everything according to the law so I don't get pulled over.
A question: assuming I'm driving and the cops tell me to pull over, and it's not a safe place, what's the right thing to do? Slow down with the turn indicators on so that there's no doubt I'll comply until I find a place, or simply stop?
If they know it isn't a safe place, they'll get onto their external speaker, and tell you where they'd like you to go.
BL.