Being pulled over: stay in car or get out?

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H23gsr:

***THIS IS NOT LEO BASHING, I AM WORKING TO BECOME LE MYSELF**
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I suggest you go to the Officer Down memorial page and look up the officers who died as a result of a "routine traffic stop". Then get back to us after you've made a few stops by yourself in the wee hours of the morning with backup 25 or 30 minutes away...

Back OT:

I'll echo ZeSpectre. Stay in the car, engine off, hands in plain sight, flashers on, etc.

One little addition, if you can find a safer place than the edge of a busy highway or street to pull over, like a parking lot, by all means do so. At least pull far enough off the road for your safety and mine. Traffic accidents during stops claim as many or more LEO lives every year as gunfire.
 
Gotta go with Zespectre here. At the end of the day, these guys are just looking to go home in one piece. They're underpaid, work long hours, and tend to be the first responders dealing with the scum of society. So, why not cut em some slack and be polite?

Really, what's so difficult about it?
 
Well, I normally do everything to make an officer feel comfortable that doesn't severly inconvience me.

I put my warning blinkers on, and if it's at night I turn on the dome light. I don't turn off my truck. I like to have the AC or heater on. I'm not gonna sit in my truck freezing or heating to death just so a cop can feel comfortable. I do put it in park with the parking brake on...

I don't grab for things like ID and such until an officer asks. I figure I don't need to be seen grabbing for unkown objects as he walks up.

I listen to the radio while the officer is doing whatever they do in their squad car that takes forever (probably playing solitare or something).

I don't know why people think there are 'tricks' to traffic stops. If you are nervous it will carry over to the officer. So just be normal.

I guess I'm polite to police, although it's only because of my upbringing (I say 'sir' and 'ma'm' to pretty much everybody...). I certainly don't think somebody that screws with my schedule deserves extra respect. I don't do illegal things (speed or run lights or anything... seriously), so the couple of times I've been pulled over were for BS reasons like 'you were suspicious', or 'there was a report of a white truck in a robbery around here last week' (well gee... only about 20% of the vehicles here are white trucks..).
 
As long as I am treated with respect, I am very respectful toward police. I am ususally upset that I got pulled over, but hey, they didn't force me to speed. So I don't let that show. My "attitude" so to speak comes from growing up in a small town and having to deal with the "I am an authority figure and you WILL follow my commands" attitude of the local pds. Some worse than others. I know not every cop is like that, that's not what i'm trying to say. It just seems like some people go out of thier way to kiss up and put cops on a pedestal. For example; I see posts on here all the time about how someone runs into a cop somewhere and gets to talking about RKBA, "well cop x said he doesn't mind and armed populace" yada yada. Who cares? Cops are just people like you and me, they have OPINIONS too. If cop x is pro RKBA, great. If not, so what. I know more about guns than alot of the cops i've ran across. It's sad and I wish it wasn't that way. I had I cop tell me if he saw a rifle in my car I would go to jail for having a "concealed rifle". This is not an US-vs-Them post either. I have great respect for the HONEST cops out there trying to make a difference, we sure do need more like that out there. Sorry, I kind of went out on a tandem. I was just trying to convey where I am coming from.
 
The one time I tried to take a side street around a DUI/license check they got a little excited (honestly thought it was a car accident with all the flashing lights). They sent four patrol cars after me, got me out of the car, touch the nose, walk the line, where you going, where you coming from, the whole deal. One guy got in my face a little, but I just stared back at him with no expression "yes sir, no sir" and he backed off. I just calmly answered the questions matter of factly with an even voice and they calmed down pretty quickly. It was really amusing though. I could see that they thought they had a big bust.
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I got pulled over once for something like that (actually the only time I've ever been pulled over). I wasn't trying to avoid the DUI trap though; going through it would have taken me out of my way on my way home. One of the HP's thought I was trying to avoid them, though, and pulled me over.

Now, I was pretty sure they were going to pull me over the minute I saw that I was going to have to turn off that street before I reached the DUI checkpoint, so I was being careful not to give them a reason to give me a ticket. So when I see an HP truck speed up behind me and the lights go on I wasn't very surprised. I pulled over, turned on my overhead light, etc.

For the most part, the officer was very polite. The only thing that REALLY irked me was that he lied to me when he told me the reason he pulled me over (I had answered "no sir" when he asked if I knew why he pulled me over). He told me that he "had a lot of experience and could tell I was speeding." I knew I wasn't, because I had kept my eye on the speedometer, but I kept my mouth shut. He gave me a warning and let me off.

Just kinda irks me that we both knew why he pulled me over, and it wasn't for speeding. He came flying around the corner and intended to pull me over long before he could tell how fast I was going (which was 15mph while I was going down the street the checkpoint was set up on, and 25 down the street I turned down; speed limit for both was 25). If he'd have been honest with me I'd have left a happy camper.
 
So now we have some discussion here.

As for those of us who have been in court you know that the officer writes a report (they do a lot of those -.-) on your incident. Say it goes like this:

Cop: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
You: "Yes, I was doing 45 in a 35 zone."

That would be what I would LIKE to say (honesty and awareness of the situation) but except the report will look something like this:

"...and pulled over the vehicle [license plate] and questioned the driver. When I asked the driver as to why I stopped him he replied that he was speeding, in excess of 10mph [16kph] over the speed limit which was posted as 35."

Now in court, that's evidence.

Now what do I plan to say in the future as to why I was pulled over?

"What was it that you pulled me over for Officer?"

You have to be very careful NOT to incriminate yourself. Contrary to belief what you say (and the dash cam + mic will record everything, if equipped) WILL be observed in court. If you run like the fools do when all the cop wanted was to tell you your brake lights are not working, not only is it a felony but in court you will have a hard if not impossible excuse.


As far as cops being hit on the side of the road, yes I've seen it on video. Definitely do not like the idea of being hit at 95kph (55mph) plus.

Discuss.
 
You follow the officer's directions. 90% of the time, they want you to stay in the car, because then they know where you are and can pretty easily see what you're doing. However, a cop may want you out of the car for safety reasons, whether yours or his. If you're pulled over on a major highway and there is a big ROW but little shoulder, they'll usually ask you to collect your papers and get out, just in case somebody gets mesmerized by the lights and ends up plowing through both vehicles. If there are four guys in a car at night in a poorly-lit neighborhood, the interview will occur between the patrol car and their spotlit car, with everyone leaning against the trunk, hands in plain sight. Doesn't matter if its failure to signal or suspicion of drunk driving.
 
pull to a well lit area... if the closest area is a good ways off, get on your cell, call 911 and tell the dispatcher that you are being pulled over, that you are in a very dark area and you are heading to a well lit place for your safety....

stop the car, turn on the overhead lights, then put your hands on top of the steering wheel... dont give the cop any lip... and dont be foolish enough to tell him that you know the law better than he does... they love to hear that let me tell ya...

in all, ive been pulled over a lot, never had any problems other than getting a ticket
 
The one time I tried to take a side street around a DUI/license check they got a little excited (honestly thought it was a car accident with all the flashing lights).
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since when is this illegal?
 
I've been on both sides of traffic stops. I was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for 11+ years, worked an eight hour shift on average every other weekend (Friday or Saturday nights 7:00pm - 3:00am).

As an officer, we expected people to stay in the vehicles. It was easier to keep track of things that way, and as already stated, it was much safer for them when stopped alongside a roadway.

As the person being stopped, I have always abided by the following rules:
Pull off as far as possible in a reasonable amount of distance after the overheads came on. If I can go an extra 100 feet and get completely off the pavement vs. stopping here and only getting 1/2 off the pavement I will do so, BUT I'm going to be slowed way down before making that extra distance so there is no chance it will be misunderstood as to "running".
Engine off.
4-Way Flashers on.
If I have time to do it before the officer reaches my vehicle, I'll have my license, registration, proof of insurance (and if required, my CHL) in my left hand.
Both hands on the steering wheel when the officer arrives at my vehicle.
Hand them to the officer when requested to do so.

I've been in three stops since I've gotten the CHL, all in Michigan although I live in Indiana. I probably would not give it out if stopped here in Indiana as it's not a requirement, unless I had it in plain view. Then it would seem to me to be prudent to have it with the remaining paperwork.

As always, YMMV, but this has worked well for me. (Last stop was for 22 over - 77 in a 55 and the Michigan State Trooper said he was going to check me for warrants and when that came back negative he said to slow down and be on my way!!!:neener:)
 
i've had too much practice a few decades a go. found the truth set me free. got nailed 95 in a 35 by a va trooper who was a lil hot when he first got to my car (it was on the bridge over the ocuquan in woodbridge) he asked do you know how fast you were going in an angry tone i said yes sir i hit about 95 when i saw your lights. his demeanor changed "well at least your honest" wrote me for 75 and helped me get ity knocked to just 19 over by his testimony in court. the 155 in a 55 2 days later jesus coudn't have got me outa though. back then on the motorcycle i turned em off set kick stasnd and put my hands on the helmet in sight. it worked welol for me and i tested it often. 20 years later when i got license back i get pulled over several times a year got one ticket for running a red light all the rest warnings. cops aren't used to the truth from folks and they like it when folks don't try to pedle stupid lies. my last stupendous driving trick was dui with no license afer a few drinks racing and possesion of substance along with a hoaky weapons charge (shuriken)

told the truth and walked with a 250 dollar fine for dui and probation before judgement on the possesion charge. everytrhing else dropped and the cop was instrumentalm in making that work. when i saw the lightrs i pulled over turned it off and when he asked for papers i gave him registration and told him i hadn't had a license in 10 years. i never woulda been able to peddle the story that the substance wasn't mine without the cops help.nowadays the cops call me sir and i think they feel like they need to help me get outa the car the young whippersnappers. had one get a funny look when he was running me through the computer he asked "have you ever been arrested?" i answered" oh yea lots of times" he did a double take
 
The one time I tried to take a side street around a DUI/license check they got a little excited (honestly thought it was a car accident with all the flashing lights).
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Yeah... I'm pretty skeptical that if they had found something, it wouldn't be thrown out by a judge. Just because you turn around/turn off a side street at a DUI check isn't probable cause for the police to stop and search....
 
Personally, I don't do a thing when pulled over. I pull over, put the vehicle in park, and sit there with my hands on the wheel. I don't speak until spoken to, I don't act unless requested, and if he asks me if I know why he pulled me over, I say no. He'll ask for my credentials, to which I'll reply, "They're in the glove box UNDER my pistol." He will then direct me further.

Now, if a cop wants to chat me up (as happened recently), I will oblige of course. I'm certainly friendly, and maybe he'll let me off for my offense, eh? But to be clear, we aren't buddies or anything. If I got pulled over there's a 99% to 100% chance I deserved it. I'm not about trying to "talk my way out of it". He's at work doing his job and I'm letting him get on with it. I'm not belligerent or nasty, but I don't kiss ass either. I'm caught and that's that. I'm content to get done whatever needs to be done and move on.

So for my part... be cordial, follow reasonable and/or lawful direction, and move along.


-T.
 
"...the need to get out of the car...." It's a psychological thing. Puts you on an even plane with the cop. You're looking at him instead of up at him. Up here, I get out(unless it's just a 'Spot Check'), but wouldn't Stateside. Our cops don't reach for their guns if you sneeze.
 
my last stupendous driving trick was dui with no license afer a few drinks racing and possesion of substance along with a hoaky weapons charge (shuriken)
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told the truth and walked with a 250 dollar fine for dui and probation before judgement on the possesion charge. everytrhing else dropped and the cop was instrumentalm in making that work.
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Awesome! Whatever happened to so called "Law Enforcement"?

I like the idea of Police Officers (not LE), myself.
 
I prefer to jump out of the truck screaming something about bees.
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I think you watch too much TV.
So you hate them not wanting you to get run over while standing near the road?
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Hmmm, I hate them determing that I am not smart enough to get run over while standing near the road. Yesterday I done played ball by the road and I din git kilted. I dislike ok I hate the phrase "for my own protection." It makes me feel like they have supremacy or domination over me. Strike one up for loss of natural liberty. BTW, nice start to a strawmen arguement.
 
cop wasn't a bleeding heart

he just took pity on a young fool. and you wanna know the funniest thing? the car wasn't mine nor was the substance but i didn't think i stood a chance with that story so i kept my mouth shut cop was able to figure it out on his own . make no bones about it i was not a good boy but that night the only thing i was guilty of was the dui and no license. and i blew a .08. the kid that was driving when the racing was going on came forward and told em i wasn't in the car. damndest thing i told the truth took my licking for what i did and went forth to sin no more. cop was a real decent guy who gave me a pretty good lecture that i heard. i didn't even have to grovel much all i said in court was that i did it i knew it was wrong when i did it and i'm here to take what i got coming. judge looked at me funny and said "thats different we have a bonus plan for folks that tell the truth and passed sentence . i went there figuring to do 2 to 5 . was just tired of that duma$$ lifestyle and all the lies so i told the truth. darn near made me believe in god. was 16 years and worst i've done since was i got a ticket 3 weeks ago for running a stop sign. who'd a thunk it
 
this subject...... again?

when pulled over, tell the cop "you can't arrest me" in a very aggravated tone, then scream "I got a gun too"
As you're getting arrested yell "don't taze me bro" and tell the cop about how
"you work for me and I pay your salary":neener:
:rolleyes:
 
the police like you to stay in your car for your own protection.
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I hate these sorts of comments. Back on topic: I would stay in the car.
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The funny thing is, that this is actually a major reason for having people remain in the car. Until you've nearly been cleaned off by a drunk/stupid/incompetent/inattentive driver at 60mph, you fail to appreciate that playing in traffic is a dicey proposition. I assure you that every cop who has done the job more than one year has a traffic close call, out of a traffic stop. If you're on the road, the safest place for you is INSIDE your vehicle. Not wandering around on the shoulder with your license, regstration and proof of insurance in hand.

Back on topic, remain in the vehicle. It's safer for you, it's safer for the cop, it's more comfortable for you and just plain easier.

And, speaking of the topic...is this gun related?

Nope.
 
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