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How State Troopers Want You To Act During a Traffic Stop

caranddriver.com — We ask state troopers what they most want drivers to do during a traffic stop.

Who dugg this? Made popular May 11, 2008

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  • Divals, on 05/11/2008, -4/+333I was pulled over one time for driving too long in the left-hand lane and then blasting past an unmarked cop at 90 when he waved me over. When he walked up to the window he asked what I had been doing. I responded "I'm an idiot. I thought you were flipping me off." He let me go with a warning.
  • spyd3rweb, on 05/11/2008, -3/+317Piss them off enough to tazer you so we have more vids for the tazer section.
  • Soldierboi, on 05/11/2008, -24/+331Honesty really does work. I've been let off the hook for my only two speeding tickets for doing such. In one of them, I was doing over 90.

    "Do you know why I've pulled you over?"
    "Speeding."
    "Do you know how fast you were going?"
    "About ninety-three."
    "Slow it down."
    "Will do. Thank you."
    "Have a nice day."
    If you deviate from that in the slightest, get ready for a ticket. They've heard your lame-ass excuse hundreds of times.
  • patrflav, on 05/11/2008, -7/+299Do any of these still work if you're black?
  • ralphthemagi, on 05/11/2008, -22/+255It doesn't really matter what you say. Odds are the officer has already made up his mind if he's going to give you a ticket before he even talks to you.
  • rewinn, on 05/11/2008, -25/+237Very useful article. Unfortunately, it won't be read by the people who need it most ;-)
  • itatag, on 05/11/2008, -50/+256"4. Do not lie. If you were speeding, admit it."

    I was always taught not to admit anything. This article is really good advice if you are a tool and have no basic understanding of your rights. It doesn't really protect the citizens in a court of law.
  • nosecohn, on 05/11/2008, -10/+192For another perspective (namely, the one that's designed to protect YOU), it's a good idea to read this:

    http://www.flexyourrights.org/traffic_stop_scenari ...

  • hatepirate, on 05/11/2008, -15/+187"Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained? Am I being detained?"
  • MattFromSeattle, on 05/11/2008, -13/+185Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop. A normal speeder will panic and immediately pull over to the side. This is wrong. It arouses contempt in the cop heart. Make the bastard chase you.
  • source1984, on 05/11/2008, -16/+175"Am I being detained?"
    "Give me your ID"
    "Am I being detained?"
    "Wtf is wrong with you??"
    "Am I being detained?"
    "Say that again and your about to get a taser video on youtube"
    "Am I being deta---aaaaaaaaaaahhhh don't tase me bro... ahhhhh"
  • EtherGnat, on 05/11/2008, -3/+156He may be intent on giving you a ticket no matter what you do, but if he's inclined to let you off I guarantee you can change his mind.
  • xwfilm, on 05/11/2008, -5/+154"What the ***** do you want MOTHER *****!"
  • dlsspy, on 05/11/2008, -4/+140And then the cop says, ``No, your tail light's out, but holy *****, 93. I'm writing that up, too.''
  • Bojanglesmn, on 05/11/2008, -7/+132Half of them will escalate the situation.

    "I'm just going to reach for the glove comp-"
    "I need back up, suspect is resisting arrest."
    "...what are you talking about?"
    "Officer down."
  • mediaphile, on 05/11/2008, -17/+155You do not have to roll your window all the way down. It may be true that the officer will want to continue the investigation outside your car, but if you roll that window down and the cop sticks his head inside your window to look around and take a whiff, you might just get your car searched as well. If you're not intoxicated, it's probably best for the police officer to conduct his investigation outside the car so there's no legal right for them to search your car.
  • Chompy, on 05/11/2008, -1/+121Yeah if you're not passing, get the hell out of the fast lane.
  • DaDrake, on 05/11/2008, -5/+126Once I got pulled over for doing 65 in a 55 mph highway. When the cop came over, I gave him my license and told him there were guns in the back of the car. I was wearing my swimsuit so he saw that I wasn't carrying (I also gave him my conceal handgun permit) and then asked if I was a "fan of the 2nd amendment". I've just smirk and look ahead. Next he asked me if he knew why I was pulled over (I said nothing) and then asked me if I am hiding anything ( I said I was a fan of the 4th and 5th amendment also).

    He decided to give me the ticket... and I looked up his records using the freedom of information act. Police need 6-7 annual check-ups to make sure they know how to work all the equipment. Apparently, this guy hadn't retrain with the radar equipment in 3 years, and there was no file present that the radar device was ever tuned.

    I gave those papers to the judge ..... the judge said its been 1 month since he met a real wise-ass.... gave me a smile... and let me get off the 100 dollar ticket. The police officer was laughing and said if I went through all that trouble, I deserve a break.

    =) turned out well..... and I won another 20 from my friend who said I wouldn't be able to get out of it.
  • zer0hour, on 05/11/2008, -6/+120a *****-mobile.
  • TheDarkstarter, on 05/11/2008, -11/+129I think this article also assumes that all troopers are honest, civil, non-power-tripping-jerks.
  • XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, on 05/11/2008, -27/+138So... If you were speeding, you should lie about it? Have fun sitting in court for ten hours and watch yourself lose.
  • InfamousAtheist, on 05/11/2008, -20/+128Yes, mister officer, may I please bend over and kiss your ass now?

    OK joking aside - I'm not the type to antagonize police officers, since I fear their capacity for brutality (and tazers). You should follow the suggestions in the article. Cops have legitimate reasons to expect the worst.

    I just resent the fact that we have to fear them also.
  • unknamed, on 05/11/2008, -7/+97I feel so much safer knowing that you've figured out how to speed in your semi without getting a ticket... that's just ***** awesome. 96 in a construction zone?? wow that's just great... but I think you need to start figuring out how to get out of a vehicular homicide charge because it sounds like it's only a matter of time.
  • carlosos, on 05/11/2008, -6/+92At the time you get pulled over you are not yet in court and the officer can be nice to you if you are nice to him. If you plan to fight the ticket in court than don't admit to anything but if you know you did something wrong and don't want the trouble with court than try to get no ticket at all (or reduced fine) by being honest.
  • thedragon4453, on 05/11/2008, -11/+94I have to disagree. Don't admit anything. Don't answer any questions with more than a few words. Be polite, but don't start telling your life story. If asked if the cop can search, say no. Don't move your hands off of the wheel unless asked, and turn down your stereo when you're pulled over.
  • JanYpe, on 05/11/2008, -7/+86...and? You were going damn near thirty over the limit. What did you expect, a pat on the back and a lollipop for the ride home? This isn't caranddriver.com's magical list on how to get out of a ticket you deserve.
  • bruce86, on 05/11/2008, -11/+82As much of a huge ass dick that guy was in that border patrol video, he was in his rights to do so. The officer would still be in the wrong by tazing him. You still have to up hold the.... i dunno what is it called???? the LAW!

    Tazing someone because he was mean to you or hurt your feelings is the most petty and pissist things a person can do. We should all be shaming these officers that use their position to be smug and commit their own personal vendetta.

    Boo f**king Hoo, someone you barely know is mad at you for giving them a ticket. Get over it or quit being a police officer.
  • inactive, on 05/11/2008, -10/+81If you dont have anything to hide, put the window all the way down. It is a HUGE red flag when people try to be slick and only put it down a little bit. Your chances of getting a warning evaporate if he thinks you are playing games or hiding something.
  • pault107, on 05/11/2008, -3/+74I was with you until the last paragraph. 96 in a construction zone is ***** up.
  • 11oops, on 05/11/2008, -3/+67*****.
  • PunkRampant, on 05/11/2008, -0/+63"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
    "Well, when I reached down to pick up my crack pipe, my gun fell off my lap and got lodged in the gas pedal, forcing me to speed out of control."
  • tattertech, on 05/11/2008, -1/+60Damnit. Beat me to it. I was going to go with the full quote though:
    Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop. A normal speeder will panic and immediately pull over to the side. This is wrong. It arouses contempt in the cop heart. Make the bastard chase you. He will follow. But he won't know what to make of your blinker signal that says you are about to turn right. This is to let him know you're pulling off for a proper place to talk. It will take him a moment to realize that he's about to make a 180 degree turn at speed, but you will be ready for it. Brace for the g's, and fast heel-toe work.
  • Neoanarchist, on 05/11/2008, -2/+66132 in 4th gear? What the ***** does your friend drive?
  • Accolade1, on 05/11/2008, -1/+58"License and registration please."
  • SkippyDoorknob, on 05/11/2008, -1/+54And don't ever flip anyone off, it's only going to make things worse.
  • PunkRampant, on 05/11/2008, -0/+49"Oh, very well, then."
  • sodade, on 05/11/2008, -7/+57I'm in the fast lane at night, going 74 in a 65. A car gets up close behind me and flashes brights. I pull into the next lane and flip the dick off. Then I realize it was a cop. He pulled my ass over instantly and gave me a ticket. The worst part was, I couldn't say anything back to my bitch of an ex wife who called me an idiot. ***** I hate making dumb mistakes like that.
  • Kas70, on 05/11/2008, -1/+47Women alone really ought to make the officer show his credentials before she rolls the window all the way down. You can even insist on calling his department to make sure he's legit. There have been too many incidents of rapists impersonating officers - right down to flashing lights, fake badge and all.
  • inactive, on 05/11/2008, -7/+52You left out the part where you licked his *****.
  • kelmaster1, on 05/11/2008, -4/+51Yes, not lying is a big thing, cops automatically label you as a lawbreaker if you lie (in their mind). If you're honest and respectful, 90% of cops out there will do the same.

    Be careful though, it can sometimes screw you as you ARE admitting guilt and therefore is not disputable in court.
  • JerMe, on 05/11/2008, -1/+50Useful except for a couple things:

    1) Never give up your speed if you know you were speeding. If the officer was pacing you and didn't know your exact speed, guess what? The number you give up is the number that goes on the ticket. You'll only get a break if the officer is nice, but don't count on it.

    2) At night, do NOT turn on your interior lights. That signals to the officer that a door has been opened, and puts them on guard.

    I've heard that another thing you can do is to put your keys on the dash. This helps a bit but may look like you're fumbling around inside; the action itself may raise suspicion with the officer. It's one of those YMMV things.
  • MoofTheStoof, on 05/11/2008, -3/+46Wrong. Whether or not we have something to hide is irrelevant. The interior of that car is my personal property and there are sharply defined limits to the state's access to it. I'm not rude to cops when I get pulled over, but I'm also not afraid to make sure my rights are respected.
  • JanYpe, on 05/11/2008, -1/+43They love it if you keep muttering "oooh this piggy's gonna squeal, this piggy's gonna squeal!" though.
  • venuspcs, on 05/11/2008, -22/+77I am an over-the-road truck driver and there are two I have used numerous times to get out of speeding tickets....They have worked every single time without fail, but it takes some big balls, steady eyes and a smooth voice to pull them off.

    1.) I used to run teams with my sister, if I was getting pulled over I would wake her up and have her sit on the porta-potty in the sleeper with a trash can between her legs....When the officer came up and asked why I was speeding I would open the curtain to the sleeper a little bit and let him see/hear her heaving in the trash can, then I would say she is sick as hell and we are not allowed to stop on the side of the road....I was trying to get to a rest area or truck stop before the stench runs me out of the damn truck.
    2.) If I am alone (in my car or my semi) as soon as I know I am getting pulled over I will undo my belt and unzip my pants, with my shirt covering the goodies but making it obvious that my pants are open. When the officer asks why I was speeding I will look down at my opened pants, wiggle in the seat and say I have diarrhea bad and was afraid to pull to the side of the road and bare ass for fear of getting an indecent exposure charge. Then before he says anything I ask him to lead me to a bathroom before he writes my ticket and I hand him all pertinent paperwork.

    In the first example I have always been let go write on the spot without so much as a warning. In the second example all but once I have been let go on the spot without a warning and the other time the officer followed me to a truck stop where I pulled into the fuel pump, yanked the break and jumped from the truck in a full sprint for the bathroom holding my pants up as I went....When I came out of the bathroom he was gone and there was no ticker or warning to be found.

    A few notes about these though....
    1.) If you are in a car, DON'T ***** SPEED IN A CITY cause you are screwed no matter what you try to pull....too many places to stop.
    2.) If you are on the highway KNOW WHERE THE REST AREAS, Gas Stations (or Truck Stops if your in a semi) are and DO NOT SPEED ANYWHERE NEAR THEM.

    With that said I have been caught for speeding over 30 times in a semi and have only gotten 1 speeding ticket....by following the above rules. The one ticket I got I was on the interstate doing 96 in a 55 mph construction zone. I went and talked to the county attorney and told him why I was speeding and he dismissed the ticket with no fees or court costs.
  • carpespasm, on 05/11/2008, -2/+41no, he didn't say lie, just don't admit to it on your own. Self-incrimination is different than not lying to a police officer. Don't give them any material they don't already have, but don't be a dick either.
  • Digitalfilm43, on 05/11/2008, -0/+39I stopped flipping the bird at motorists years ago. Since you never know what will set some crazy nut-bag off. Now I just give 'em a thumbs up to congratulate them on being an idiot.
  • linagee, on 05/11/2008, -0/+36"Driver: I didn't want to be ripped out." -- With the jaws of life
  • skyshock1, on 05/11/2008, -0/+35I used to work in a police force myself. There most definitely ARE quotas.
  • FearFactory, on 05/11/2008, -2/+44What do you do when you are driving and someone out of nowhere is tailgating you with their brights on, then when your eyes adjust you notice its a cop trying to get you to go over the speed limit?
  • svetty, on 05/11/2008, -5/+39Wrong.
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