How to Reduce the Odds of Being Ticketed During a Traffic Stop

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Understand that the easier you make the officer's job

   Officers have a lot to worry about when they pull someone over; you can defray a lot of these worries by taking the following steps. , Find an area that will give the officer plenty of space to walk up to your window without being close to oncoming traffic., Do this as soon as you pull over.
   
   Turn on your overhead interior light unless it's very bright outside.
   
   This gives the officer a chance to see more clearly that there aren't any threats in the car., Don't move around, and don't reach for your license and registration.
   
   Any movement can make the officer nervous that you're reaching for a gun or trying to hide something., say "No.
   
   I'm sorry, but I don't," and leave it at that.
   
   You might feel tempted to confess, but if you do, the officer can write that on the ticket and you'll have a hard time getting away from that later., This will help put the officer at ease.
   
   The officer will probably go back to the police car to run your information; wait patiently with your hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel.
   
   Don't rummage, fidget, make phone calls, etc., Don't argue.
   
   Your best chance of fighting this ticket now is for the officer to not remember you, so don't do anything that might make you stand out in his or her mind.
   
   This will make it more likely that the officer will agree to a plea deal down the line.,,,
2. 2

   Step 2: the more likely he or she is to be lenient.

3. 3

   Step 3: Pull over as soon as you safely can after hearing the sirens.

4. 4

   Step 4: Turn your engine off and roll your window down completely.

5. 5

   Step 5: Put your hands on your steering wheel at 10 and 2 and wait until the officer gets to your window.

6. 6

   Step 6: If asked "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

7. 7

   Step 7: If asked for your license and registration

8. 8

   Step 8: announce exactly how you're going to get them before you reach for them.

9. 9

   Step 9: Stay calm.

10. 10

    Step 10: Take the ticket and say thank you.

11. 11

    Step 11: Signal that you're joining traffic

12. 12

    Step 12: do it safely

13. 13

    Step 13: and move on.

14. 14

    Step 14: Fight the ticket in court.

Detailed Guide

About the Author