What happens when you're stopped?

[docevi1]

Hi,
I've never been stopped before (I guess because (a) I drive a diesel and (b) I try to not the speed limits or do daft things).

Now I have got a marlin, which is a fairly obtrusive car (see profile) and I'm fully expecting to be stopped (my 30 year old bro in law gets stopped in it).

Now I'm not worried/afraid of the police getting stopped but what actually happens, what do they ask for, what do they expect? Do I get out of the car, do I stay in the car. Should I take the window off (zipper's, no "windows")...

I just don't want to offend/upset someone when I get stopped thats all. I intend to carry all my documents as photo-copies with me (i.e. Log Book, Drivers Licence, Insurance Doc, MOT...) just in case they are nicked. I'm assuming these won't be proof but will they help or should I carry the originals?

Cheers

[texyboy]

depends what you were stopped for?
i have a relative with a custom built Ford Corsair (3.0ltr V6 etc...real stunner) anyway he has been stopped on more than 5 occasions just for a 'look' at the car...no offense commited just given a producer (take your driving details to the local plod shop) when stopped just stay in the car...the police will tell you what they require you to do - but whatever you do dont panic! if youv done nothing wrong youv nothing to worry about

[Mad Dave]

Ive always been told to be polite (so as not to fail the 'attitude test')and to always get out of the car, otherwise the copper already has the psychological advantage and may 'look down on you' in more ways than one! I dont know how true this is - ive only been stopped once and the copper was very nice and just sent me on my way.

[Byff]

I always get out, talk eye to eye and keep the chit chat cheerfull. Unless it's raining.

[deltaf]

Dont ever carry the documents with you.
For one, they can be stolen. For two, if youre stopped and questioned for speeding and hand over your license, that can be construed (and has been) an admission of guilt, although i dont see why.
Better to do the "producer" route.

[docevi1]

fair enough. I kinda expect to be stopped to be asked simple questions, you know the kind.

I'm always polite to the police - you never know when you need their help! I was always taught not to frightened off the police, just with the police style - if you get out guns are drawn...

Cheers, terrified of the first time but then it's inevitable I feel.

[streaky]

I was stopped once, at 01:00 (ish) for a number-plate light out. It was persisting down with rain but followed advice I was given long before and got out. Caught my foot in the seat-belt (non-retracting) and measured my length on the road in front of the policeman.

He waited until I had picked myself up and informed me about the light. I walked to the rear, thimped the lamp cover and it came on (bad earth).

He then asked me to walk over to his car and then to blow in a bag (I presume his chips were too hot ). He then spent a long time studying a little tube by the light of his headlamps before telling me to be on my way.

I hadn't had a drink for two weeks because of some medication I was taking, but I was worried just the same.

Streaky

[206xsi]

BiB are quiet today....

[madant69]

When you're stopped it's because someone wants to check...

a) that you're not pissed
b) that the car's not stolen
c) that you're legal, or
d) your car out cos it's a beaut...

All is well if a-c is ok and you pass the attitude test. Attitude test=being polite, matey, like you would be to someone who works with your girlfriend who you just met at the works do. OK?

Not looking for..
a) "I know my rights" (not as well as I do mate)
b) "Haven't you got anything better to do?" (no, not at the moment)
c) "Why aren't you out catching burglars?" (5 this week justifies my existence thanks)

If d above applies then..
a) suck it up and feel proud of your baby
b) make up any story you like to any mates that pass (Yeah...110 in a 30 but he let me off cause he never had his hat on, etc)

As long as you're OK, they're OK. Treat as you would be treated my friend. Attitude test could be most important test ever...and DON'T KISS ASS!! They hate that

[outlaw]

madant69 said:

When you're stopped it's because someone wants to check... a) that you're not pissed b) that the car's not stolen c) that you're legal, or d) your car out cos it's a beaut... All is well if a-c is ok and you pass the attitude test. Attitude test=being polite, matey, like you would be to someone who works with your girlfriend who you just met at the works do. OK? Not looking for.. a) "I know my rights" (not as well as I do mate) b) "Haven't you got anything better to do?" (no, not at the moment) c) "Why aren't you out catching burglars?" (5 this week justifies my existence thanks) If d above applies then.. a) suck it up and feel proud of your baby b) make up any story you like to any mates that pass (Yeah...110 in a 30 but he let me off cause he never had his hat on, etc) As long as you're OK, they're OK. Treat as you would be treated my friend. Attitude test could be most important test ever...and DON'T KISS ASS!! They hate that

and some cops dont hav atetude ?

[FunkyNige]

docevi1 said:

Do I get out of the car, do I stay in the car. Should I take the window off (zipper's, no "windows")...

When I got stopped, I didn't get out of the car, I just wound the window down (seem to remember mum saying don't get out of the car unless your asked to), but the copper asked me to get out so he could talk to me. There were other people in the car at the time, I don't know whether this makes a difference though.

Also, whenever I'm in a car that gets stopped, the copper always asks for the driver to get out (one copper got a bit worried when my mate who is about 6'5 weighing 17st got out - the other policeman in the patrol car got out rather quickly!)

[john_p]

I've been told that you don't have to get out of the car - I suppose you could even wind the window down 1 inch and talk through the gap - but of course, if you act a bit arsey, it will probably delay your journey (and increase your punishment, if applicable!) even more...

[Derek Smith]

If there is a male driving and a female in the passenger seat, I ask the chap out so as not to embarrass him in front of her. If it is the other way round, I leave the woman in the car as this puts less pressure on the chap to act like, well, an Arsenal player.

Whenever I stop a car I have already made up my mind what I'm going to do. The response of the driver can make a significant difference, though. If you lie, "No, I was only doing 28 mph." then you limit the options of the officer. No point in giving a caution.

The drivers who are stopped the most are cabbies - and for obvious reasons. They never argue, apologise immediately then come up with a weak, but believable excuse. I know there is no point in cautioning one as they will drive the same immediately I'm out of sight, but unless the offence was particularly bad, I normally let them go. The only cabbie I can remember being upset by I sent away to get his cab washed.

Wen I was a PC I was put on a road block in London and we stopped every car that came through. This was at the whim of a really wierd Inspector. I had loads of paperwork yet wasn't excused. I was not happy to be asked, "Haven't you got anything better to do?" This did not make me want to allow the driver to go on his way as quickly as possible.

Derek

[silverback mike]

Just have a chat really, the reason you were stopped will be explained to you, generally in a polite manner. The situation will go from there.

In relation to carrying documents. Personally, giving your licence to an officer at the roadside does not apportion blame, and having it taken from you at the roadside (for endorsable offence) is no different to producing at a later date.
However, personally taking it from someone at the roadside is a complete pain in the arse, more paperwork. So for me, a producer is the easiest.

You can have some interesting chats at the roadside though, and personally I will meet fire with fire, but initially be very polite.

[blueyes]

Before you exit the vehicle shove your guns and drugs down your girlfriends knickers.... just pray she's not wearing a thong!

[ribol]

I wouldn’t worry about it too much, if you are legal and are not doing anything that could be deemed as taking the pi55. I went through a spate of Hort 1s (never have and still never do carry any documents) when I was younger but this was really more down to the type of cars I was driving rather than what I was doing. A young bloke driving home at 2.00am in someone else’s new Giallo Fly Ferrari is always likely to get noticed. Never grovelled in my life and have never got anything more than a decent chat from the bib most of which seemed to be frustrated car nuts. I quickly came to the conclusion that mates of mine who got “the treatment” were obviously doing something differently to me. Nowadays being much older I never get stopped regardless of what I drive, I am really starting to take it as a bit of an insult.

Treat people as you expect to be treated, you will not go far wrong.

Ivan

[streaky]

I am under the impression that a police officer has no right to open your paper version driving licence to look for any points already on it (and that's why it's folded the way it is). If I am right, to do so would be the same as having previous convictions read out at the start of a trial ... which might well prejudice against the defendant.

I have had numerous reports in the past (and one yesterday) from friends and colleagues who have been stopped for a variety of reasons, that their driving licence has been opened up on production. I have also had reports that it's been opened at a police station following a 'producer'.

All the information needed is available on the cover (if folded correctly), so there is no need to open it.

What's the correct story please?

Streaky

>> Edited by streaky on Sunday 28th September 07:42

[docevi1]

thanks for the info guys. It's pretty much what I thought, and indeed exactly what I plan/would do when/if I get stopped.

One last question if I may, whats the situation at night? I read on other posts that it is acceptable to drive (slowly after indicating) to the nearest police station. Is that a done thing? Personally I don't think I will ever try it unless something looks decidingly dodgy but still...

[206xsi]

If you're pulled over by a marked police car then it's good practice to wait for a uniformed BiB to come and do the business.

If you're pulled over by an unmarked car at night then it's a slightly different matter. Then I (personally) would indicate that I would go to the nearest copshop.

[Hedders]

Drive to the nearest cop shop?

They have closed the nearest two cop shops to me, so that could involve a five mile trip across London with a cop car in tow...I would have helicopeters overhead by the time i got to a cop station!