Do you know that immersive feeling when the red and blue lights come on in the rearview mirror? Sometimes you know what you did, sometimes you’re not really sure what you did.
So, what’s the best way to reduce your chances of getting a traffic ticket from the police?
We spoke to a Highway Patrol officer with over 20 years of service who gave us the following advice:
The easiest way to avoid a fine is to not break the law, drive at the speed limit, avoid using your phone while driving, and be polite to other drivers.
Make sure you pay attention to the little things too, use your indicators, make sure all your lights are working and if you are a P license plate holder make sure that the signs Your number is clearly displayed. And for God’s sake, stop sticking to the car in front.
If you want to put colored or painted taillights on the taillights/brake lights, don’t. Save some money and buy a sticker that says “I’m an idiot” – it has the same effect and you’ll avoid a ticket
If you have used drugs before driving, when stopped by the police, you should let them know what drugs you have used and ask them to do a drug test for you. No one wants you on the road.
The same goes for people who have been drinking and driving. A good way to deal with the problem might be to say, “I’m not sure if I’ve had too much to drink, could you give me a breath test?” No one wants you on the road with them.
Most people don’t seem to realize how easy it is to find people using cell phones while driving. When traffic is heavy, they will tend to leave a larger gap between themselves and the vehicle in front because they know they are not paying enough attention. They will also be slower to take off from a stop when traffic starts moving again.
As we approach the car from behind, we’re looking for two hands on the wheel. When we couldn’t see one or both hands on the steering wheel, we started to take a closer look. Most people who use their phones these days try to keep it in their lap, so then we started looking for that nodding head and as we approached, we noticed that car more than a little. little.
When the telltale signs started appearing, the end result was that we saw drivers doing all sorts of things on their phones.
If you are asked to pull over, you should find a safe place to do so.
If you can’t see a safe place right away, turn on the left indicator light to let the police know you’re looking. If possible, try driving off the road.
If you park your car in an unsafe place or take an unreasonably long time to pull over, there is a high chance that police officers will become agitated as soon as they step out of the vehicle. You don’t want them to get excited, you want them to be in a happy place
Slowly get out of the car and walk towards the curb. Look at the officer and put on your brightest smile.
You may be asked to return to your vehicle. If that’s the case, do as you’re told, but if the opportunity arises, say, “I think it’s safer for you if I get out of the car.”
Then you should call the officer “officer”. For example, greet them with “good morning officer”
The officer will then most likely introduce himself. You should respond with your first and last name and extend your arm to shake hands.
Apparently due to COVID-19 issues, the officer may decline your offer to shake hands. If we go back and shake hands again and get rejected, don’t get upset about it – he or she may be used to dealing with confrontational people and it can be difficult. catch them off guard.
One COVID-19 safety tip is to use the Namaste greeting, as that is also a sign of respect.
Never ask “what’s the problem?” Let the officer tell you what you did wrong, and unless you absolutely believe they did, say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I did it.”
Never mention the word sales and try to maintain an interesting conversation. This is also an ideal opportunity for you to mention whether your great-grandfather/great-grandfather or other relative was a police officer and the great job the police did. Also mention if you work for a charity, especially one that helps the less fortunate.
While you may not get a ticket, staff may slow down to book a lower frame, or if they are going to give you two tickets, they may be inclined to give you only one.
Today, most crimes will be captured via in-car cameras. So, the same way McDonald’s asks you if you want fries with that order, try not to be the one who insists on taking the error of not signaling intent or not showing a P plate with the ticket. your speeding penalty.
My final piece of advice is that traffic cops tend to see the world in very black and white, so your chances of avoiding a fine are always higher with a general duty officer than with a Highway Patrol.
