Top 10 tips if you get pulled over
Discussion
Top 10 tips to help your wallet and license if you get pulled...on a bike, but some will apply in any other vehicle 
1. Attitude: The three 'offs'
Sat on your bike with the engine running and your (black) visor firmly shut is no way to greet a traffic cop that's just pulled you over. Switch off the bike, dismount, take off your helmet and look humble - even if you don't think you've done anything wrong.
2. Your bike
An illegal number plate, an ear-splitting exhaust, balding tyres and no tax aren't the best way to help smooth negotiations get under way. Keeping your bike legal, roadworthy and clean shows you have some respect for the law. A minor traffic infringement could be overlooked if the rider's bike is legal but no insurance and a fag-packet number plate won't help matters one bit.
3. Location
If you're going to go out for a spirited ride then choose location wisely. If you're caught doing a few miles over the speed limit on an open A-road, with good visibility it'll probably result in just a ticking off under the right circumstances. But if you're stopped hoiking stand-up wheelies past a school at home time then, to put it bluntly, you're f@cked.
4. Don't argue
Avoid arguments. Most traffic cops are simply doing their jobs, so usually you'll have been pulled over for a particular reason, so look humble, take the b
king and you may just get away with it. Back chat, sarcasm and a never-ending stream of "yes, buts" will get you nowhere. If you disagree then do it politely.
5. Bribery
It may have happened in the 1970s, but a £50 note left in between your folded-up driving licence, accompanied by a cheeky wink won't get you anywhere other than a custody cell. Don't do it.
6. Be honest
Cops hate liars, so if you know you were doing 40mph in a 30 then admit it. "I've no idea why you stopped me, mate," are not words any traffic cop likes to hear, especially the word 'mate'. Be honest, admit you're in the wrong and you may just get away with it. Trust us on this one, it works.
7. Clothing
Torn jeans, a black visor, trainers, no gloves and a T-shirt won't impress anyone, least of all a traffic cop if you get pulled. Sensible clothing means you have some sense of self-worth and therefore respect the consequences of coming off your bike. Riding a GSX-R1000 dressed like someone out of the latest rap video generally means you haven't much of a clue about anything.
8. Be apologetic
An apology goes a long way in many coppers' eyes, but don't grovel. Remain calm, humble avoid challenging eye-contact and you're already easing the situation. Take the bking, be sorry and hope.
9. Slip away quietly
If you're lucky and you've followed some of the previous tips then you may find yourself riding away with a flea in your ear and your licence intact. If not, then accept the punishment and move on. But either way leave the scene quietly. Two-fingered salutes in the style of a wheelie, drag-start departure or peppering the officer's car with stones spat up by a smoking rear tyre (yes, it's happened) are all sure fire ways of getting yourself re-nicked.
10. Don't do a runner
AND FINALLY ... Make sure you pull over. 'Doing a runner' - as it's affectionately known - was relatively easy a few years ago, if you were on the right machine on roads you know well. Nowadays, 'failing to stop' will usually result in a 'Blues Brothers' high-speed chase by highly-skilled drivers in seriously fast specially-equipped pursuit cars. If things escalate include 'helicopter' and 'officers from three other counties' into the previous sentence. Expect a state holiday at one of Her Majesty's leisure camps, probably sharing a 'room' with someone called Big Butch McDick.
C&P from Visordown
1. Attitude: The three 'offs'
Sat on your bike with the engine running and your (black) visor firmly shut is no way to greet a traffic cop that's just pulled you over. Switch off the bike, dismount, take off your helmet and look humble - even if you don't think you've done anything wrong.
2. Your bike
An illegal number plate, an ear-splitting exhaust, balding tyres and no tax aren't the best way to help smooth negotiations get under way. Keeping your bike legal, roadworthy and clean shows you have some respect for the law. A minor traffic infringement could be overlooked if the rider's bike is legal but no insurance and a fag-packet number plate won't help matters one bit.
3. Location
If you're going to go out for a spirited ride then choose location wisely. If you're caught doing a few miles over the speed limit on an open A-road, with good visibility it'll probably result in just a ticking off under the right circumstances. But if you're stopped hoiking stand-up wheelies past a school at home time then, to put it bluntly, you're f@cked.
4. Don't argue
Avoid arguments. Most traffic cops are simply doing their jobs, so usually you'll have been pulled over for a particular reason, so look humble, take the b
king and you may just get away with it. Back chat, sarcasm and a never-ending stream of "yes, buts" will get you nowhere. If you disagree then do it politely.5. Bribery
It may have happened in the 1970s, but a £50 note left in between your folded-up driving licence, accompanied by a cheeky wink won't get you anywhere other than a custody cell. Don't do it.
6. Be honest
Cops hate liars, so if you know you were doing 40mph in a 30 then admit it. "I've no idea why you stopped me, mate," are not words any traffic cop likes to hear, especially the word 'mate'. Be honest, admit you're in the wrong and you may just get away with it. Trust us on this one, it works.
7. Clothing
Torn jeans, a black visor, trainers, no gloves and a T-shirt won't impress anyone, least of all a traffic cop if you get pulled. Sensible clothing means you have some sense of self-worth and therefore respect the consequences of coming off your bike. Riding a GSX-R1000 dressed like someone out of the latest rap video generally means you haven't much of a clue about anything.
8. Be apologetic
An apology goes a long way in many coppers' eyes, but don't grovel. Remain calm, humble avoid challenging eye-contact and you're already easing the situation. Take the b
king, be sorry and hope.9. Slip away quietly
If you're lucky and you've followed some of the previous tips then you may find yourself riding away with a flea in your ear and your licence intact. If not, then accept the punishment and move on. But either way leave the scene quietly. Two-fingered salutes in the style of a wheelie, drag-start departure or peppering the officer's car with stones spat up by a smoking rear tyre (yes, it's happened) are all sure fire ways of getting yourself re-nicked.
10. Don't do a runner
AND FINALLY ... Make sure you pull over. 'Doing a runner' - as it's affectionately known - was relatively easy a few years ago, if you were on the right machine on roads you know well. Nowadays, 'failing to stop' will usually result in a 'Blues Brothers' high-speed chase by highly-skilled drivers in seriously fast specially-equipped pursuit cars. If things escalate include 'helicopter' and 'officers from three other counties' into the previous sentence. Expect a state holiday at one of Her Majesty's leisure camps, probably sharing a 'room' with someone called Big Butch McDick.
C&P from Visordown
hornetrider said:
All very sensible obvious advice. No doubt saved me from 3 points when I was pulled doing 95 on the motorway. Ah, gotta love discretion.
Not so sure about point 10 though. I thought Plod won't engage in pursuits with motorcycles these days. Elf and Safetee see?
That only works if you're not wearing a helmet, and seriously only a mug would do that.Not so sure about point 10 though. I thought Plod won't engage in pursuits with motorcycles these days. Elf and Safetee see?
hornetrider said:
Not so sure about point 10 though. I thought Plod won't engage in pursuits with motorcycles these days. Elf and Safetee see?
Doesnt stop them getting your plate off either the anpr system or the video and coming round your house at 4am and dragging you down the nick though.All good advice, also if your in a low sports car ask the officer if he wants you to get out so he doesnt have to bend down. That seemed to get me off a ticket once.
Mr E Driver said:
7. Clothing
Torn jeans, a black visor, trainers, no gloves and a T-shirt won't impress anyone, least of all a traffic cop if you get pulled. Sensible clothing means you have some sense of self-worth and therefore respect the consequences of coming off your bike. Riding a GSX-R1000 dressed like someone out of the latest rap video generally means you haven't much of a clue about anything.
I think it's up to me what I wear on a bike, and wouldn't like to think it had a bearing on the outcome of a 'traffic stop'. The handful of times I have been pulled in my life, I have been extremely polite and helpful towards the Police, however I draw the line at being told what to wear in order to avoid a ticket. It should be completely irrelevant.Torn jeans, a black visor, trainers, no gloves and a T-shirt won't impress anyone, least of all a traffic cop if you get pulled. Sensible clothing means you have some sense of self-worth and therefore respect the consequences of coming off your bike. Riding a GSX-R1000 dressed like someone out of the latest rap video generally means you haven't much of a clue about anything.
The only legal requirement is a helmet.
I only ever ride a bike for fun if it's a warm sunny day, which are few and far between, my bikes are tarted up 'west coast USA style' (think chrome wheels and lamborghini paint colour) and yes, I do wear jeans and trainers and a T shirt, usually because I'm on my way to a bar, club, or friends house.
Not having to spend my bike riding time in some sweaty rubber trousers or whatever, is one of the few things that hasn't been decemated by a nanny state.
Tiggsy said:
No one is saying the clothing issue is the law...it's saying a T shirt over 30mph makes you seem retarded and less likely to treated by the cop as someone who will listen to his sensible advice and go on your way bearing it in mind.
So a non motorbike riding/owning copper can make a judgment on what clothing is correct for me to wear on my bike? I dont think so. And even if he/she is a rider its my freedom of choice, As for being retarded, i've seen car drivers with hoodie tops up, baseball caps pulled over their eyebrows and ear phones in, or does that not matter?. fat tony said:
So a non motorbike riding/owning copper can make a judgment on what clothing is correct for me to wear on my bike? I dont think so.
It doesn't really take a lot of sense to realise that someone coming off a bike at 30mph in full leathers will fair far far better than someone wearing t-shirt and jeans. fat tony said:
And even if he/she is a rider its my freedom of choice,
You are correct it is freedom of choice. If you choose to limit risk then fair enough. If you crash you know what happens if you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt. If you have a crash that is not your fault though and have been scarred for life due to your idocy in wearing said t-shirt and jeans instead of leathers then surely you should not be paid out as much. After all, any sensible person would do what is appropriate to limit that risk.fat tony said:
As for being retarded, i've seen car drivers with hoodie tops up, baseball caps pulled over their eyebrows and ear phones in, or does that not matter?.
I've seen that as well and wonder how the hell they can drive properly. But surely your anaology of the car drivers is just the same as you wearing a t-shirt and shorts whilst riding? Or are we not allowed down that route because you are a biker and therefore know everything about driving/riding?14-7 said:
If you have a crash that is not your fault though and have been scarred for life due to your idocy in wearing said t-shirt and jeans instead of leathers then surely you should not be paid out as much. After all, any sensible person would do what is appropriate to limit that risk.
Are you seriously suggesting wearing leather trousers as a matter of routine while riding? If a car driver has a crash which isn't their fault should they not be paid out as much if they aren't wearing a crash helmet on the road?14-7 said:
fat tony said:
So a non motorbike riding/owning copper can make a judgment on what clothing is correct for me to wear on my bike? I dont think so.
It doesn't really take a lot of sense to realise that someone coming off a bike at 30mph in full leathers will fair far far better than someone wearing t-shirt and jeans. fat tony said:
And even if he/she is a rider its my freedom of choice,
You are correct it is freedom of choice. If you choose to limit risk then fair enough. If you crash you know what happens if you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt. If you have a crash that is not your fault though and have been scarred for life due to your idocy in wearing said t-shirt and jeans instead of leathers then surely you should not be paid out as much. After all, any sensible person would do what is appropriate to limit that risk.fat tony said:
As for being retarded, i've seen car drivers with hoodie tops up, baseball caps pulled over their eyebrows and ear phones in, or does that not matter?.
I've seen that as well and wonder how the hell they can drive properly. But surely your anaology of the car drivers is just the same as you wearing a t-shirt and shorts whilst riding? Or are we not allowed down that route because you are a biker and therefore know everything about driving/riding?
. I have however found that riding my bike has made me a more observant car/van driver. 14-7 said:
If you have a crash that is not your fault though and have been scarred for life due to your idocy in wearing said t-shirt and jeans instead of leathers then surely you should not be paid out as much. After all, any sensible person would do what is appropriate to limit that risk.
Are you seriously suggesting wearing leather trousers for routine road riding? If a car driver has a crash that isn't their fault should their pay out be reduced because they didn't wear a crash helmet on the road?fat tony said:
14-7 said:
fat tony said:
So a non motorbike riding/owning copper can make a judgment on what clothing is correct for me to wear on my bike? I dont think so.
It doesn't really take a lot of sense to realise that someone coming off a bike at 30mph in full leathers will fair far far better than someone wearing t-shirt and jeans. fat tony said:
And even if he/she is a rider its my freedom of choice,
You are correct it is freedom of choice. If you choose to limit risk then fair enough. If you crash you know what happens if you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt. If you have a crash that is not your fault though and have been scarred for life due to your idocy in wearing said t-shirt and jeans instead of leathers then surely you should not be paid out as much. After all, any sensible person would do what is appropriate to limit that risk.fat tony said:
As for being retarded, i've seen car drivers with hoodie tops up, baseball caps pulled over their eyebrows and ear phones in, or does that not matter?.
I've seen that as well and wonder how the hell they can drive properly. But surely your anaology of the car drivers is just the same as you wearing a t-shirt and shorts whilst riding? Or are we not allowed down that route because you are a biker and therefore know everything about driving/riding?. I have however found that riding my bike has made me a more observant car/van driver. Dr Jekyll said:
eldar said:
Dr Jekyll said:
Are you seriously suggesting wearing leather trousers as a matter of routine while riding?
Yup. If you place any value on your continued mobility.vonhosen said:
fat tony said:
14-7 said:
fat tony said:
So a non motorbike riding/owning copper can make a judgment on what clothing is correct for me to wear on my bike? I dont think so.
It doesn't really take a lot of sense to realise that someone coming off a bike at 30mph in full leathers will fair far far better than someone wearing t-shirt and jeans. fat tony said:
And even if he/she is a rider its my freedom of choice,
You are correct it is freedom of choice. If you choose to limit risk then fair enough. If you crash you know what happens if you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt. If you have a crash that is not your fault though and have been scarred for life due to your idocy in wearing said t-shirt and jeans instead of leathers then surely you should not be paid out as much. After all, any sensible person would do what is appropriate to limit that risk.fat tony said:
As for being retarded, i've seen car drivers with hoodie tops up, baseball caps pulled over their eyebrows and ear phones in, or does that not matter?.
I've seen that as well and wonder how the hell they can drive properly. But surely your anaology of the car drivers is just the same as you wearing a t-shirt and shorts whilst riding? Or are we not allowed down that route because you are a biker and therefore know everything about driving/riding?. I have however found that riding my bike has made me a more observant car/van driver. Dr Jekyll said:
Are you seriously suggesting wearing leather trousers as a matter of routine while riding? If a car driver has a crash which isn't their fault should they not be paid out as much if they aren't wearing a crash helmet on the road?
I always wear my full leathers, proper gloves and a helmet no matter what I'm doing whilst on the bike. Be it going to and from work, taking the bike to be serviced, out for a ride etc. The way I figure it is that I know being on a bike is a lot more risky than being in a car therefore I try to limit the amount of harm that may occur to me.I am certainly not a namby-pamby person and will quite happily take risks but I also know, or at least like to think I know, when to limit those risks to what is acceptable in my circumstances.
Knowing how easy it is to be knocked off a bike (been there done that) through no fault of your own makes me at least try to limit the outcome of said incident.
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