{"id":2490,"date":"2016-03-02T16:46:06","date_gmt":"2016-03-02T22:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/local.usagencies.com\/?p=2490"},"modified":"2024-06-11T10:49:30","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T17:49:30","slug":"how-to-keep-getting-pulled-over-by-a-cop-from-turning-ugly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usagencies.confiedevstg.com\/blog\/auto-insurance\/how-to-keep-getting-pulled-over-by-a-cop-from-turning-ugly\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep Getting Pulled Over by a Cop from Turning Ugly"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re speeding down the highway, the tunes cranked up loud, when a cop pulls up behind you and lights you up. Unless you were driving twice the posted speed limit of 75 mph, driving a stolen car or hauling contraband \u2013 remain calm as best you can. Now is not the time to start thinking about how this is going to affect your car insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of not-so-great ways you could react \u2013 all of which could quickly escalate a normal traffic stop into something ugly. While being pulled over can be nerve-racking, the last thing you want is an altercation with a cop over a busted taillight or expired tags. Yet, things can go south in a big hurry, if you rub a cop the wrong way from the start.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest, nobody\u2019s ever happy or thrilled with getting pulled over. Your first instinct might be to show attitude and ask in a confrontational tone \u2013 \u201cWhat did I do?\u201d<\/p>\n

However, whether it\u2019s your first ticket or you\u2019re an old pro at signing your name at the bottom of a citation, you might want to consider a different approach and a few simple suggestions to keep your traffic stop from turning ugly unnecessarily.<\/p>\n

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  1. Pull over immediately<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Don\u2019t circle the block or look for the perfect place to pull over. Once you notice a police car flashing its lights behind you, steer over to the nearest curb and stop immediately. Doing otherwise could anger the cop and you want to avoid that. If he doesn\u2019t like where you parked, he\u2019ll bark instructions over his loud speaker for you to move to a better location. Follow his commands.<\/p>\n

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    1. Turn off your vehicle without him having to ask<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Make it easy on yourself by turning off your vehicle and setting the emergency brake. This way, you\u2019re showing the cop you understand the situation and your intention is to stay put. In addition, it may keep you from doing something stupid \u2013 like winding up on the 10 o\u2019clock news.<\/p>\n

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      1. Turn on your dome light<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Turning on the dome light at night shows a will to cooperate by letting the officer see into your car. This may also put the cop more at ease since he has a better view of what you\u2019re doing as he approaches.<\/p>\n

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        1. Rest your hands on the steering wheel<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Cops always prefer to see your hands in plain sight. By resting them on the steering wheel, you\u2019re making the stop safer for both of you.<\/p>\n

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          1. Avoid sudden movements<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Avoid making any sudden movements, including reaching for your wallet before the officer arrives at your window. This will only make the office nervous and add possible conflict to the traffic stop.<\/p>\n

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            1. Roll your car window about 1\/4 of the way down<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Rolling your window down only part of the way allows you to discuss the stop with the officer while giving you the room to pass requested documents. Furthermore, it can keep the officer from escalating the situation by claiming he smells marijuana or alcohol, which often he didn\u2019t, only to get you out of your car and conduct a search.<\/p>\n

              Once the cop reaches your car window:<\/p>\n