What to do when being pulled over.

No one likes the feeling of seeing flashing lights roll up behind them. For many, it is a nerve racking experience. Hopefully this brief guide will help you should you ever be pulled over.

When you first see a Police car attempting to pull you over find the nearest, and safest place to pull off the roadway. Use your right turn signal to indicate to the Officer that you realize you are being pulled over and are going to do so at the safest place. Do not stop on a corner, or at the crest of a hill. It will be easier for everyone if your main concern is finding a safe spot. When you do find a safe area to pull over, get off of the roadway as far as possible.

Do not get out of your vehicle unless requested to do so by the Officer. Officers are trained to be extremely cautious during all traffic stops, no matter how "routine". Traffic Stops are a major result of in the line of duty deaths for Officers. Keep in mind that they do not know you, what you have in your vehicle, or what your intentions are. It is nothing personal. A good majority of people we pull over are hard-working, law-abiding citizens who just had a momentary lapse of safe driving. Another group does not fall into that category, and these are the people we train on coming into contact with.

As soon as you are off of the roadway, your window is all the way down, and your vehicle is in park, place both hands on the steering wheel and wait. If it is dark out, turn on the interior lights of your vehicle. Instruct passengers to sit with both hands visible. The most important rule here is to NEVER reach for anything. Do not reach for your documentation until instructed to do so. Chances are good that if you begin to dig around under a seat, the glove box, or a center console, you will make the Officer that much more cautious and end up making your experience last longer than you would prefer.

Keep this golden rule in the back of your mind: no one has ever talked their way out of a ticket by yelling, swearing, or challenging the Officer. In other words, don't argue, threaten, or become demanding. While being polite may not get you out of a ticket either it will ensure you can continue on your way in the fastest possible time. Many Officers are much more willing to help someone out in court who did not cause any trouble at the traffic stop. There has never been an incident in which a person who caused trouble at a traffic stop was given any type of break on the street, or in court.

When the Officer asks for your documentation it may be wise to let them know where you will be reaching. For instance, "my registration is in the glove compartment", or, "my license is in my wallet in my back pocket". While this rule is not a major issue it does help make things go that much more smoothly. The Police are trained to expect the worst and hope for the best, so any movements you make are observed. If you make an effort to prepare the Officer it will be appreciated by him or her.

Once the Officer has your documentation they will usually give the reason for the stop, or ask you if you know why you were stopped. If you know the answer tell them, if you don't know simply say you do not know. Honesty is best policy. If the Officer does not tell you the reason for the stop politely ask why you are being stopped.

The Officer will then go back to his vehicle to either write a citation, or warning card. Do not get out of your vehicle during this time and do not make too many movements, especially those that were discussed earlier.

Just because the Officer went back to his vehicle doesn't always mean he is writing a citation. Many times if he plans to give a warning he will still need to go back to his vehicle to log his stop, check in with dispatch, and do all the required checks. When the Officer approaches you after he has been in his vehicle do not get defensive and assume you are going to get a ticket. Many people become so enraged that what was going to be a verbal or written warning quickly turns into a citation.

If you do receive a citation be sure you know what you are being cited for. In Pennsylvania signing the white copy of the citation does not mean you are signing that you are guilty, it means that you are acknowledging the fact you are receiving a citation. Also keep in mind that the Officer does not set the fine, nor does he assess points. All of that is done by PENNDOT, so when you see the total amount realize that it was established by the state.

You will be given the yellow copy and the process of responding to the citation should be explained to you. Do not feel bad about asking questions on how to respond to the citation if you are unsure.

When all is said and done you will be released. Safely pull back onto the roadway using your turn signal. Some people have felt that burning out after receiving a citation is the correct thing to do. As you are aware, this usually doesn't work out well in the end.

Receiving a citation is not a fun experience, however, if you follow these rules it will make your experience that much easier to deal with.