Fat Albert
Active member
Hey y'all,
My older brother is a sargeant in a big-city police force. Don't worry, he's a good guy. (though he knows *NOTHING* about my "hobby" LOL) He said that the day he retires he's going to smoke a joint; he's got 9 years to go! Anyway, he's shared numerous stories with me of traffic stops and how they can go wrong, so I figured that I'd do a small write-up of what I've heard from him. Here goes:
*Check ALL lights on the car before leaving!
Have a friend walk around the car while you sit inside, turning on headlights, parking lights, turn signals, brake lights, etc. If you have auxillary lights, such as fog lamps, and one is burnt out, turn the other one off! They're not necessary for travel, and while you can't get pulled over for a burnt-out fog light, the asymmetry of your light pattern WILL be noticed by the cops. Driving with a broken reflector, even if the bulb works, is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED!
*Make sure that you have no outstanding warrants or reasons for you to be taken into custody if you are detained and your name is run through the computer.
*Obey ALL rules of the road and traffic signals. Resist the urge to blast Cypress Hill at 120 db. Duh!
*IF YOU ARE PULLED OVER:
*Stop IMMEDIATELY. Cops don't like it if you keep driving, even if it's for a little bit. ONLY continue driving if there is no safe place to pull over where you currently are.
*Take your keys out of the ignition, roll down your window, and PUT YOUR KEYS ON THE ROOF OF YOUR CAR. This will reassure the cop that you don't have your foot on the gas and your hand on the gearshift, waiting to floor it.
*Keep your hands on the steering wheel or otherwise in view of the cop AT ALL TIMES! AT ALL TIMES! AT ALL TIMES! You know who YOU are and what you are capable or not capable of doing. A cop who pulls you over, especially at night, has no such reassurances. Unfortunately, for any cop their next traffic stop may be their last. Their threat/response level is in overdrive when they pull anybody over, since people have gunned down cops during a traffic stop in broad daylight. You want to do everything you can to assuage the cop that you are not a threat to them.
****Keep your registration, license, and insurance in your driver's side visor****
When the cop asks, it's a matter of flipping down your visor and handing them these items in one fell swoop. FACT: while drunks and stoners are FUMBLING AROUND IN THEIR GLOVE COMPARTMENT, CENTER CONSOLE, ETC., THE COPS ARE TAKING A DETAILED VISUAL INVENTORY OF THE INSIDE OF THEIR CAR!!!!
I can't stress this point enough! You don't want to give them time to stand there and stare inside your car!!!!
*Keep all incriminating items in the trunk of your car! DO NOT SMOKE IN THE CAR AT ANY TIME!!!!! Keep your ashtrays free of roaches or telltale ashes!
*If you're traveling with companions, MAKE SURE YOUR ALIBIS MATCH! Ships have been sunk SO MANY TIMES by people who are acting nervous and whose stories don't match each other's.
*Lastly, BE COURTEOUS, POLITE, and RESPECTFUL. The proper salutation is "Officer" or "Sir." Although some cops may not be "Sirs" you have to show them respect! So many people DON'T, that when the select few DO, the cops will oftentimes return that respect to you. Kill them with kindness, because they almost never experience that (through fault or no fault of their own) If you DID roll through a stop sign, fail to use a turn signal, ADMIT IT! Admit it, and APOLOGIZE! The line that's NEVER failed me is "I'm sorry, Officer; I realize I did not make a full stop. You have every right to give me a ticket, and I apologize." NEVER ONCE have I received a ticket when I am polite, contrite, and calm. If you're humble and cooperative, your chances for driving away in one piece are greatly increased.
I hope this info can be of use to people here. If anyone can think of anything that I missed, please feel free to post a reply.
Stay safe and sound, people!
Fat A
My older brother is a sargeant in a big-city police force. Don't worry, he's a good guy. (though he knows *NOTHING* about my "hobby" LOL) He said that the day he retires he's going to smoke a joint; he's got 9 years to go! Anyway, he's shared numerous stories with me of traffic stops and how they can go wrong, so I figured that I'd do a small write-up of what I've heard from him. Here goes:
*Check ALL lights on the car before leaving!
Have a friend walk around the car while you sit inside, turning on headlights, parking lights, turn signals, brake lights, etc. If you have auxillary lights, such as fog lamps, and one is burnt out, turn the other one off! They're not necessary for travel, and while you can't get pulled over for a burnt-out fog light, the asymmetry of your light pattern WILL be noticed by the cops. Driving with a broken reflector, even if the bulb works, is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED!
*Make sure that you have no outstanding warrants or reasons for you to be taken into custody if you are detained and your name is run through the computer.
*Obey ALL rules of the road and traffic signals. Resist the urge to blast Cypress Hill at 120 db. Duh!
*IF YOU ARE PULLED OVER:
*Stop IMMEDIATELY. Cops don't like it if you keep driving, even if it's for a little bit. ONLY continue driving if there is no safe place to pull over where you currently are.
*Take your keys out of the ignition, roll down your window, and PUT YOUR KEYS ON THE ROOF OF YOUR CAR. This will reassure the cop that you don't have your foot on the gas and your hand on the gearshift, waiting to floor it.
*Keep your hands on the steering wheel or otherwise in view of the cop AT ALL TIMES! AT ALL TIMES! AT ALL TIMES! You know who YOU are and what you are capable or not capable of doing. A cop who pulls you over, especially at night, has no such reassurances. Unfortunately, for any cop their next traffic stop may be their last. Their threat/response level is in overdrive when they pull anybody over, since people have gunned down cops during a traffic stop in broad daylight. You want to do everything you can to assuage the cop that you are not a threat to them.
****Keep your registration, license, and insurance in your driver's side visor****
When the cop asks, it's a matter of flipping down your visor and handing them these items in one fell swoop. FACT: while drunks and stoners are FUMBLING AROUND IN THEIR GLOVE COMPARTMENT, CENTER CONSOLE, ETC., THE COPS ARE TAKING A DETAILED VISUAL INVENTORY OF THE INSIDE OF THEIR CAR!!!!
I can't stress this point enough! You don't want to give them time to stand there and stare inside your car!!!!
*Keep all incriminating items in the trunk of your car! DO NOT SMOKE IN THE CAR AT ANY TIME!!!!! Keep your ashtrays free of roaches or telltale ashes!
*If you're traveling with companions, MAKE SURE YOUR ALIBIS MATCH! Ships have been sunk SO MANY TIMES by people who are acting nervous and whose stories don't match each other's.
*Lastly, BE COURTEOUS, POLITE, and RESPECTFUL. The proper salutation is "Officer" or "Sir." Although some cops may not be "Sirs" you have to show them respect! So many people DON'T, that when the select few DO, the cops will oftentimes return that respect to you. Kill them with kindness, because they almost never experience that (through fault or no fault of their own) If you DID roll through a stop sign, fail to use a turn signal, ADMIT IT! Admit it, and APOLOGIZE! The line that's NEVER failed me is "I'm sorry, Officer; I realize I did not make a full stop. You have every right to give me a ticket, and I apologize." NEVER ONCE have I received a ticket when I am polite, contrite, and calm. If you're humble and cooperative, your chances for driving away in one piece are greatly increased.
I hope this info can be of use to people here. If anyone can think of anything that I missed, please feel free to post a reply.
Stay safe and sound, people!
Fat A
