Getting stopped by USA Bib
Discussion
Here are some tips that our American cousins use when stopped by the Bib....(boys in black over there)..from an American website.
Traffic Stop Do's and Don'ts
There are several things that are good to do and many things are NOT so good to do if you are stopped by an officer.
One of the most frequent topics that I have been asked about concerns being pulled over in your car. As a traffic officer for the past several years, I can tell you that there are several things that are good to do and many things are NOT so good to do if you are stopped by an officer.
Your attitude with the officer. I was taught many years ago that an officer should decide whether or not he/she is going to issue a citation BEFORE approaching the violator. YEAH RIGHT! The violator's attitude has a lot to do with whether or not a ticket is issued. There were many times that I stopped people and intended initially to just warn them, but they had to lip off and I just could not seem to keep my pen from scooting across the ol' ticket book. Remember, the officer generally has the last word on traffic stops and you will do yourself no favors by irritating him/her. That does not mean you have to suck up to them or anything, just be as courteous and respectful as you can be and let it go at that.
Sudden or suspicious movements. I realize that the term suspicious as used here is pretty relative, but put yourself in the officer's shoes. How would you react if you saw a violator reaching under the seat or grab suddenly for the glove compartment? The vast majority of these actions are innocent enough, but they are also responsible for far too many officer deaths each year. Granted, there are times when you must access these areas to obtain information requested by the officer, just use some common sense when doing so and remember the officer's situation. Keep in mind, the officer has no idea who or what you are or may have just done. I have stopped violators for mere speeding and found out during the stop that they just committed an armed robbery. THEY knew what they had done, but I just thought they were in a hurry (I guess I would have been too).
"Driver's license, registration, & proof of insurance, please." These words should come as no surprise to you if you are pulled over, yet I saw so many people with a blank look on their face when asked, and it took them forever to find them. Try not to get stopped in the first place, but if you do, have these documents ready when the officer approaches your window. It saves you and the officer time (which you probably have less of or else you wouldn't have been speeding).
Do I stay in or get out of my car? Most officers prefer (or they should prefer) that you stay in your car when you are stopped. If they want you to get out, they will ask you to. From an officer's standpoint, many criminals will exit their car to try to prevent the officer from seeing what they have in there with them. Staying in the car also allows the officer to focus his/her attention on the passenger compartment alone and not it plus you if you get out. If you do get out and the officers tells you to get back in, do not be offended...he/she is just trying to their job safely.
Where do I pull over? The majority of the time, you should simply pull to right edge of the roadway and stop. If it is a two lane road or if there happens to be a convenient (public) driveway you can pull into, do so IF it does not interfere with the business' traffic flow. Many times people trying to be helpful really mess things up by blocking a driveway or another street trying to "get out of the way". Officers are trained to scope out the optimum location for the stop before turning on their emergency equipment so if they hit their lights, just pull right over. This is one reason why there are times when officers may follow a violator for a long distance before initiating the stop.
Special Considerations For Nighttime Car Stops
After you pull over, turn on your interior dome light. This helps to illuminate the inside of your car and lets the officer know that you have nothing to hide and are willing to cooperate. Remember, the only light source the officer usually has is a flashlight. When he/she shines it in and around your car, it is not to irritate or offend you, it is just so they can see what's going on and evaluate the situation.
Prepare to be blinded. Nighttime car stops are not the favorite thing for an officer to do. There is something about walking up on a car full of who-knows-what and not being able to see inside that can make an officer's liver quiver. Therefore, to allow for a little better vision inside the violator's vehicle, the officer will likely utilize every light source available on the front of the patrol car. This can be a bit overwhelming for the violator, especially if they are not expecting it. Today's lightbars are equipped with very bright "takedown" lights and modern halogen headlights, so your mirrors can become a sea of brilliant white light in a split second. Just be prepared for this and remember, the officer is at a significant disadvantage as it is, the lights are just for his/her safety, not to offend you. Be polite, adjust your mirrors if you need to, and let the officer do what they have to do.
Do not be offended by the flashlight. A flashlight is an officer's eyes at night, therefore the beam will move around quite a bit as he/she looks around in the dark, to include the interior of cars. If, while an officer is scanning the interior of your car for anything unusual, the beam of the flashlight happens to blast your retinas, do not automatically assume that the officer did it intentionally. Also, remember that the officer WILL look around inside your vehicle for safety reasons, so do not be offended. Again, put yourself in the officer's shoes (or boots).
Street
Traffic Stop Do's and Don'ts
There are several things that are good to do and many things are NOT so good to do if you are stopped by an officer.
One of the most frequent topics that I have been asked about concerns being pulled over in your car. As a traffic officer for the past several years, I can tell you that there are several things that are good to do and many things are NOT so good to do if you are stopped by an officer.
Your attitude with the officer. I was taught many years ago that an officer should decide whether or not he/she is going to issue a citation BEFORE approaching the violator. YEAH RIGHT! The violator's attitude has a lot to do with whether or not a ticket is issued. There were many times that I stopped people and intended initially to just warn them, but they had to lip off and I just could not seem to keep my pen from scooting across the ol' ticket book. Remember, the officer generally has the last word on traffic stops and you will do yourself no favors by irritating him/her. That does not mean you have to suck up to them or anything, just be as courteous and respectful as you can be and let it go at that.
Sudden or suspicious movements. I realize that the term suspicious as used here is pretty relative, but put yourself in the officer's shoes. How would you react if you saw a violator reaching under the seat or grab suddenly for the glove compartment? The vast majority of these actions are innocent enough, but they are also responsible for far too many officer deaths each year. Granted, there are times when you must access these areas to obtain information requested by the officer, just use some common sense when doing so and remember the officer's situation. Keep in mind, the officer has no idea who or what you are or may have just done. I have stopped violators for mere speeding and found out during the stop that they just committed an armed robbery. THEY knew what they had done, but I just thought they were in a hurry (I guess I would have been too).
"Driver's license, registration, & proof of insurance, please." These words should come as no surprise to you if you are pulled over, yet I saw so many people with a blank look on their face when asked, and it took them forever to find them. Try not to get stopped in the first place, but if you do, have these documents ready when the officer approaches your window. It saves you and the officer time (which you probably have less of or else you wouldn't have been speeding).
Do I stay in or get out of my car? Most officers prefer (or they should prefer) that you stay in your car when you are stopped. If they want you to get out, they will ask you to. From an officer's standpoint, many criminals will exit their car to try to prevent the officer from seeing what they have in there with them. Staying in the car also allows the officer to focus his/her attention on the passenger compartment alone and not it plus you if you get out. If you do get out and the officers tells you to get back in, do not be offended...he/she is just trying to their job safely.
Where do I pull over? The majority of the time, you should simply pull to right edge of the roadway and stop. If it is a two lane road or if there happens to be a convenient (public) driveway you can pull into, do so IF it does not interfere with the business' traffic flow. Many times people trying to be helpful really mess things up by blocking a driveway or another street trying to "get out of the way". Officers are trained to scope out the optimum location for the stop before turning on their emergency equipment so if they hit their lights, just pull right over. This is one reason why there are times when officers may follow a violator for a long distance before initiating the stop.
Special Considerations For Nighttime Car Stops
After you pull over, turn on your interior dome light. This helps to illuminate the inside of your car and lets the officer know that you have nothing to hide and are willing to cooperate. Remember, the only light source the officer usually has is a flashlight. When he/she shines it in and around your car, it is not to irritate or offend you, it is just so they can see what's going on and evaluate the situation.
Prepare to be blinded. Nighttime car stops are not the favorite thing for an officer to do. There is something about walking up on a car full of who-knows-what and not being able to see inside that can make an officer's liver quiver. Therefore, to allow for a little better vision inside the violator's vehicle, the officer will likely utilize every light source available on the front of the patrol car. This can be a bit overwhelming for the violator, especially if they are not expecting it. Today's lightbars are equipped with very bright "takedown" lights and modern halogen headlights, so your mirrors can become a sea of brilliant white light in a split second. Just be prepared for this and remember, the officer is at a significant disadvantage as it is, the lights are just for his/her safety, not to offend you. Be polite, adjust your mirrors if you need to, and let the officer do what they have to do.
Do not be offended by the flashlight. A flashlight is an officer's eyes at night, therefore the beam will move around quite a bit as he/she looks around in the dark, to include the interior of cars. If, while an officer is scanning the interior of your car for anything unusual, the beam of the flashlight happens to blast your retinas, do not automatically assume that the officer did it intentionally. Also, remember that the officer WILL look around inside your vehicle for safety reasons, so do not be offended. Again, put yourself in the officer's shoes (or boots).
Street
Wish I had read that info before i got pulled in NY, as i do in the UK, i got out of the vehicle and walked towards the car that had pulled me. (Not a good move!)
The directional spots on top of the car were shone directly in my face and I was told in a very stern manner to get back into the car. When the two BiB got to the side of the car, it was then I noticed that they both had guns trained on me and the missus.
Opon asking to produce my driving licence, he looked a bit dumbfounded and asked "Which state is this licence from?" (Chuckled!)
When the missus opened the glove box and leaned forward to get the insurance, I then saw the other BiB with his gun aimed at her head. (Were are the accidental discharges when you need them?
)
Anyway, to put it this way, I needed to change by boxers!
The directional spots on top of the car were shone directly in my face and I was told in a very stern manner to get back into the car. When the two BiB got to the side of the car, it was then I noticed that they both had guns trained on me and the missus.
Opon asking to produce my driving licence, he looked a bit dumbfounded and asked "Which state is this licence from?" (Chuckled!)
When the missus opened the glove box and leaned forward to get the insurance, I then saw the other BiB with his gun aimed at her head. (Were are the accidental discharges when you need them?
) Anyway, to put it this way, I needed to change by boxers!
Well I do have to say that I'd rather be stopped in the USA than here in England! More professional and much less confrontational in the USA. My experience is admittedly tiny, about the same number of stops in the UK and the USA over the years and the fact is that I was treated civilly in the USA. It seems to me that the training here is lacking. I have been insulted by policemen in the UK but never in the States. What's going on here then? The policeman needs to insult me to get his message across?
ariel said:
I'm sorry, only speaking drom personal experience.
Fair comment....
It depends on how many times you've been stopped and what for, I suppose..
You obviously haven't been stopped by me or anyone on my shift....You might have left me/us with points and a fine, but you'd have been given road safety advice and the reasons for doing what we did explained fully to you. A 'mind how you go, Sir' would also have been the final words.
Having said that, you might have been one of the drivers, who dependant on the offence and the driver's attitude left the car after signing my pocket book with a verbal warning and not points/fine.
Regards and drive well.
Street
Street,
It has been 20 years since I have been in England, and I was being driven around from airbase to airbase, so I did not have the chance to try driving on the "proper" side of the road!
Your reprint of that article was right on all points, with some added emphasis on:
DON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL ASKED!!!
Hands on the wheel
ALL interior lights on
Headlights and hazards, ON
Car in Park, ignition OFF
Windows down, if reasonable
A point to consider, a former co-worker was from England and kept his UK license current. We were late for a meeting and I was ahead of him when a light was changing. I was marginally through it and he was very late through it. He gets stopped. I pull over and wait. TWO MINUTES LATER, he is rolling, with a wave from the cop! We get to the meeting and I ask him what was going on. He laughs like a maniac and tells me that he dropped his standard Eastenders-esque " Oi, Kev!! I ain't dun nuffink!!"
And turned on his Beeb World News:
"Good afternoon Officer, what seems to be the matter? The light? Why yes, I saw it was changing, but I really don't think it was close to red when I passed through."
And again,
DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT
Get out of your car until asked.
But at that point you will be hearing all instructions from a loudspeaker, beguinning with:
"KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!!!! DRIVER, EXIT THE CAR AND WALK BACKWARDS TO ME!!!".....
And with US cop shows so popular on your telly, you know the rest of THAT dance.
It has been 20 years since I have been in England, and I was being driven around from airbase to airbase, so I did not have the chance to try driving on the "proper" side of the road!
Your reprint of that article was right on all points, with some added emphasis on:
DON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL ASKED!!!
Hands on the wheel
ALL interior lights on
Headlights and hazards, ON
Car in Park, ignition OFF
Windows down, if reasonable
A point to consider, a former co-worker was from England and kept his UK license current. We were late for a meeting and I was ahead of him when a light was changing. I was marginally through it and he was very late through it. He gets stopped. I pull over and wait. TWO MINUTES LATER, he is rolling, with a wave from the cop! We get to the meeting and I ask him what was going on. He laughs like a maniac and tells me that he dropped his standard Eastenders-esque " Oi, Kev!! I ain't dun nuffink!!"
And turned on his Beeb World News:
"Good afternoon Officer, what seems to be the matter? The light? Why yes, I saw it was changing, but I really don't think it was close to red when I passed through."
And again,
DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT
Get out of your car until asked.
But at that point you will be hearing all instructions from a loudspeaker, beguinning with:
"KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!!!! DRIVER, EXIT THE CAR AND WALK BACKWARDS TO ME!!!".....
And with US cop shows so popular on your telly, you know the rest of THAT dance.
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