by Jerry Williams

Created on: August 28, 2009

I have to admit I'm not the ideal driver. I often hurry when concerned I may be late and in general I tend to drive as quickly as I think I can get away with. As such, I've had my share of pull-overs by John Law.

Through direct experience I've learned how to avoid getting traffic citations. You may wish to follow these pointers as the traffic-stop proceeds:

1.) Keep as calm as you can. Yeah, you get nervous seeing the flashing lights behind you as you pull over. You can't help it, but try to realize a pull-over doesn't automatically mean you're getting a ticket. Chill out and see how it goes.

2.) Stay in the car. Don't jump out to plead your case. The cop has no idea what you're up to, and it's going to put him or her on the defensive. Just stay seated; the officer will definitely get to you forthwith.

3.) Put your hands at 10 and 2. Even if you're Pope Benedict XVI out for a spin, place your hands where the officer can see them and keep them there. It's an effective way to imply that you intend to cooperate and cooperation is always appreciated.

4.) Let the cop do the talking. Things will go better if the officer believes he or she has the situation under control. Don't start the encounter with defensive questions. Allow the cop to run the discussion.

5.) Let the cop tell you what you did wrong. Never admit an overt act of law-breaking. The officer in due time will make you aware of your transgression. After he or she has done so, it often helps to assert that your violation wasn't intentional: I didn't mean to be going that fast, or, I don't usually roll through stop-signs. Try to nurture some benefit-of-the-doubt. And, realize in advance that you can't think of any clever excuse cops haven't heard at least a hundred times.

6.) Don't get in a debate with the officer. You don't know the laws better than officers do, and he or she is not going to believe your perception over theirs. You simply have nothing to gain. You're just going to antagonize a cop by acting like you know more.

7.) Make the cop away when getting the insurance card, etc. Most of us keep at least our insurance information in the glove-box. While it's not usually a huge deal, it helps to tell the officer beforehand that you're going to get the info from the glove-box. It's a gesture of courtesy that, again, implies cooperation.

8.) Be reasonably pleasant. Yeah, in the very least you're being inconvenienced but there's no denying the officer has the upper-hand. Talk to the cop as a person; be neither discourteous nor pandering. I generally call them officer during such encounters rather than sir or ma'am.

9.) Just sit there while waiting. Don't get all passive-aggressive and start blaring your music or whatever when the officer returns to his or her patrol car. Don't get into histrionics with your friends or spouse, waving arms and yelling. Simply sit there and wait for the cop to finish. If you keep your cool while he or she has the book out, it could mean the difference between getting a warning or a ticket.

10a.) Acknowledge a break. If you've been smart up to now (and if you hadn't done anything horrendous to begin with) you have a fair chance of getting a warning. If so, thank the cop sincerely. You don't need to fawn over the officer, but let him or her know you appreciate the break. End the encounter on a positive note.

OR

10b.) Take it with a grain of salt. If the cop gives you a citation, roll with it. There's no sense in taking it personally, and you will always have your day in court. I've challenged all of my citations, even when caught dead-to-rights. If you dress decently and speak politely in court, the judge usually gives you some kind of break for not acting like an idiot.

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