Dos and Don'ts of a traffic stop

The Fort Wayne Police Department produced a video that shows what to do and what not to do when you're pulled over.

[@tayninh69]

Not a bad video, I was pulled over a few years ago for speeding. I did exactly what this video depicts, I lowered all of my windows, kept my hands on top of the steering wheel, was respectful to the officer, answered his questions, and moved my hands only when he asked me for my credentials. In return, the officer treated me with respect and dignity, wrote out a warning and we both went away smiling. A little respect for the officer goes a long way to a happy ending.

[@garyeinsidler3781]

jay dee Lock your doors, close all windows. When they come to you you ask them why they stopped you!

[@riley1733]

I was pulled over last year in November. The cops mistook me for someone else. There was a guy running from them who must’ve been driving the same type of vehicle as me as they mistook me for that guy. I pulled over as far off the road as possible, rolled down the windows, shut the car off, took the keys out of the ignition and kept my hands on the steering wheel and answered their questions without incriminating myself. Be polite and respectful and you’ll probably leave without a ticket. Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times until the cops ask you for your documents. Once you’re asked, tell them where they are before reaching for them. I was told cops are hard on teenagers as well and usually don’t give them chances. If you’re nice and polite with the officer/officers, I can almost guarantee you will leave without a ticket. I thought I was leaving with a ticket before the cops handed me back my documents (I was going 10 over the limit). I ended up leaving without a ticket and without a warning. Even if you’re a teen, you can avoid a ticket by being respectful and polite.

[@dudetocartman]

If only traffic stops were always this easy. Sometimes there's those rare ones where it makes it unusual. One can be on cops not telling you why you were pulled over. You can ask nicely why they did, and they should tell you legally. Or those times where you're pulled over for a crime they investigate. All I can say is, always be kind and courteous no matter the situation. Even if the officer gives you attitude or pulls a gun on you and you keep your kindness and cool, you'll always win. Record your stops also if you can. If you get a ticket and disagree and you were 100% kind, there's court to throw the ticket out. Happened to me once.

[@alfandeddie]

I like the how to shower after gym class better...

[@calvinhobbes7504]

Stop immediately. Hands on the wheel. Window down 4" max. Only voice and paperwork need to pass through it. Lawyer told me this. If they ask you to step out of the car, windows up, keys in hand and lock the door behind you. "Force of habit, officer". That's all you have to say. No free searches is the goal though. If they want to hang you, they can anyway (remember, they lie to themselves, the citizens and the courts regularly) ... just make 'em work for it. They have their job to do, we have ours. I'm not sorry, but me feeding my family is more important to me than you feeding the legal lobby. And chimps, the division they've caused is only gonna get worse.

[@pissedoffmarine7908]

When an officer asked you for your driver's license insurance and registration you should not have to communicate that you're going to reach for them he already asked for them if the officer is not smart enough to realize that the driver has to reach in different places to get all the information he should not be a police officer.

[@rogergeyer9851]

I'd rather be courteous than risk suddenly being yelled at (or worse) by an upset cop, especially at night.

[@klausschraud7303]

Oh this looks so easy most cops aren’t that calm

[@dudetocartman]

I was pulled over one time on Halloween night for accidentally not having my headlights on. This cop was not calm at all and was a jackass. He pulled me over after one block of driving and he was like, "Do you not know how to drive?!" I didn't understand, then he's like, "What should be on that isn't?!" I then noticed my lights weren't on, before I thanked him for pointing that out, he then was shouting at me saying, "Now, get out of here!" with a thumb pointing gesture and went back to his vehicle. He didn't ask me for DL, Insurance, or Registration at first. Didn't even give me a ticket at end. I was flabbergasted. I still win either way because I was kind and kept my cool.

[@terryaltman6765]

Excuse me but on that traffic stop it's already called in they already know that you do or you do not have a driver's license and besides if these officers are that nervous and scared of a traffic stop with no priors coming across or any warrants on that license plate registered to that driver they need to find another line of profession

[@RockstargamesgtavI]

What’s happens if your blind deaf Chinese and can’t speak and have no hands?

[@Green-bs4ex]

You'd get harrassed, shot, or arrested.

[@rogergeyer9851]

I've seen videos by a cop who doesn't like it when you don't have your license, etc. ready. So which is it? I can't keep my hands on the wheel and get out my license and other info. I'm NOT being sarcastic here, but ordinary citizens that just want safe traffic stops for everyone are getting conflicting information from KZbin videos.

[@swedishshortsnout5610]

For the "ready" portion, you just need to plan ahead of time for it. Your registration and insurance paperwork needs to be in the glove compartment or center console - IN A SEPARATE FOLDER. Don't be in a situation where you have to waste 1-2 minutes fumbling through other documents. And then just know where your ID is so that you can provide it immediately when asked. If you have this setup already in place, all you have to do is place your hands on the wheel until the officer gets to your window. You should only reach for your paperwork when directed. No cop is going to complain about less than 3 seconds of wait time.

[@Green-bs4ex]

It's the governments fault. They are trying to turn us into bootlickers.

[@x1carrier]

This crap about traffic stops being dangerous is SO OLD! Easy solution, don't do them! I do not want my tax dollars wasted on some BS stopping a guy because he is going 10-15 miles over the speed limit. I don't want my tax dollars wasted on a turn signal bulb that isn't working or his tag is expired. That doesn't serve or protect anybody. There is so much BS that cops pull, that I wish every PD would close down and let neighborhoods form their own civilian patrol force. Firemen, EMT's and detectives actually help and serve people. Taxpayers are glad to see them because they only come when you call them. I have never and would never call the police because they are trained professional liars who serve no real purpose...other than to steal money from law-abiding citizens. Any encounter I have had with the cops is non-consensual. Every encounter I have had with the cops has turned into an extortion for money. So no...don't need the police and don't want the police.

[@gmoops8986]

As a rule, speed zones are well posted. Why do ignore the zone? Are you "special"? Are you that important? Do you live in an exclusive area? A sorry excuse, "I pay taxes, I pay your salary." You cry about being cited for breaking the law but are the first to howl when burgled, extorted, scammed, or otherwise violated. I would guess that you also double park in the lot because your behemoth is special and deserves extra attention and protection.

[@gmoops8986]

As a rule, speed zones are well posted. Why do ignore the zone? Are you "special"? Are you that important? Do you live in an exclusive area? A sorry excuse, "I pay taxes, I pay your salary." You cry about being cited for breaking the law but are the first to howl when burgled, extorted, scammed, or otherwise violated. I would guess that you also double park in the lot because your behemoth is special and deserves extra attention and protection.