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Being pulled over can be a scary experience. The sight of flashing lights, high beams in your mirror, and a silhouette approaching your car can make anybody white-knuckle their steering wheel. 

But there are plenty of ways to make the process go more smoothly.

Failure to do the right thing when the officer pulls you over can turn a routine traffic stop into a funeral. Fortunately, the odds of accidentally escalating by that much are about the same as accidentally winning the lottery.

Although WinIt can’t help increase your chances of winning the lottery, we can increase your chances of having a positive interaction with police.

What To Do When the Police Pull You Over

This information comes straight from the government and police agencies around the country. After all, the best way to learn what cops like is to ask them. If you follow these six steps, you should be able to enjoy a peaceful encounter with law enforcement.

Step 1: Place the Car in Park

The first thing you should do is place the car in park. The main reason for this is that it prevents you from getting a charge for evading police. It’s possible to get that charge even if you accidentally hit the gas and drive a little ways down the street. 

Placing the car in park also helps make it easier to step out of your vehicle if the police officer so asks. Of course, the obvious reason for this is that you don’t want your car rolling down the road when you get out. 

But it also makes sure you don’t have to shift gears when the officer is already at your window. Instead, you can keep your hands where the officer wants them.

Step 2: Roll Down the Windows and Turn the Lights On

Step two is another easy one. Start by rolling down your windows. Since there’s no telling from which side of the car the police officer will approach, it’s a good idea to roll down all four windows. Once that’s done, turn on the interior lights and move on to step three.

If the weather is particularly bad, such as during a snowstorm or heavy rain, you might not want to fully roll down all of your windows. In those cases, the police officer might be happy with you only rolling down the driver’s window just enough to talk and pass documents.

Either way, if the police officer has to tap on your window to get you to roll it down, you’ve already made a negative impression.

Step 3: Place Your Hands on the Steering Wheel Where the Officer Can See Them

Placing your hands on the steering wheel allows the officer to easily see where they are. Police officers want to keep track of your hands to see if you reach for a weapon. Being a police officer is a dangerous job, after all. And, if the officer thinks you might be a threat, they won’t be likely to let you off with a warning.

Step 4: Don’t Make Any Sudden Movements

If you’ve ever seen a cop drama on TV, you’ve probably heard the officers shout, “No sudden moves!” at the bad guy. The same goes for other interactions with police officers. With your hands on the steering wheel, do not yank them away for any reason.

If you have to move in the vehicle, explain to the officer what you’re doing and why. Then, once they say it’s fine, do so slowly. Of course, going too slowly can be seen as patronizing, an insult to the officer. The trick is to tread a fine line between normal speed and too slow.

Step 5: Give the Officer All the Requested Documents

Regardless of where you are, whether you think you know the law or not, it’s best to give the police officer all of the documents they request. Many people make the mistake of thinking they don’t have to give their ID to a police officer during a traffic stop. Even in states where that might be true, there are often exceptions to that rule, meaning you’ll still have to hand over your ID.

Step 6: Wait for the Officer To Let You Go

Do not leave, roll up the windows, put documents away, or take your hands off the steering wheel until the police officer says that you’re good to go. Attempting to leave before the police officer dismisses you could result in you getting charges for evading a police officer.

Always let the police officer drive off first. Not only is this polite, sometimes police officers will stop traffic for you so that you can safely pull out.

What To Say If a Cop Asks How Fast You Were Going

This is a notorious trick question. Police officers are trained to try to get a confession whenever possible, as that helps streamline the legal process. However, if you’re not guilty, the last thing you want is to accidentally confess to something you didn’t do. And there are plenty of ways to do just that.

Here are two common trick questions police ask in traffic stops and the best answers you can give:

Question	Answer
“Do you know why I pulled you over?”	“No.”
“Do you have any idea how fast you were going?”	“Yes.”

Don’t provide any additional details. The officer already knows the answer to both of those questions and is only asking you in an attempt to get you to confess.

What to Do When Pulled Over By an Unmarked Police Car at Night

If a vehicle with no police markings starts flashing red and blue lights at you, do not immediately pull over. Instead, call 911. When the dispatcher answers, tell them you are being followed by an unmarked police car. Provide the make and model of the vehicle as well as your location and which direction you’re headed.

The dispatcher will be able to check if you are being followed by a real cop. If you’re being followed by an impersonator, the dispatcher can then send help.

Common Questions About Traffic Stops

The first question everybody asks about traffic stops is what to do when the police pull you over. After that, people ask a long, long list of other questions. Each of the following questions have answers that can help you make the police officer’s job easier and possibly help you get out of a ticket.

Can a Cop Ask You To Get Out of Your Car?

Yes. Although it’s rare, police officers are allowed to ask you to step out of your vehicle. If they do, they will often tell you where to stand. This is said to be for your own safety and that of the police officer. And, when the officer feels safe, your chances of getting off scot free are slightly higher.

Do You Have To Roll Your Window Down When Pulled Over?

You do have to roll your window down to talk to the police officer. If your window does not roll down or if it is not safe, tell the officer when they get to your door. Ask if it would be okay for you to open the door instead.

Do the Police Have To Tell You Why They Stopped You?

Police officers are required by law to tell you the reason for the traffic stop. Oftentimes, they tell drivers after asking the two trick questions we talked about a few sections before this one. Then they’ll tell you what they pulled you over for and why. After that, they’ll tell you whether you’re getting a ticket or a warning.

Do I Have to Answer the Officer’s Questions?

In most cases, you do not have to answer the officer’s questions. This goes for any interaction with law enforcement, whether you’re being investigated for a crime, talked to in a coffee shop, or anything in between. Knowing what to say and what not to say can make the difference between a ticket and a warning.

In traffic stops, though, you are required to give your name, ID, and other documents to the officer.

The nicer you are to the police officer, the less likely you are to get a ticket. For example, if a police officer asks how you’re doing today and you start shouting, “Am I being detained?” the officer might get a little angry. And angry officers don’t tend to give out warnings.

Can You Call Your Lawyer During a Traffic Stop?

You are allowed to call your lawyer during a traffic stop. This is true for all interactions with police officers and traffic stops are no different. You have a constitutional right to a lawyer in any circumstance.

Before answering any of the police officer’s questions, you should talk to a lawyer. Lawyers have years of experience navigating the rules and regulations of traffic law, which can help get you out of a ticket before one is ever even issued.

If you decide to call your lawyer during a traffic stop, make sure to tell the officer that’s who you’re calling. Of course, make sure the car is in park or you might get another ticket for using a cell phone while driving!

Can I Record the Traffic Stop?

This is a tricky question, so let’s start with the basics. You are allowed to record the police in public areas during traffic stops, but you can’t do so secretly. If you want to record the police officer, you should let them know. Make sure the recording captures you telling them that you’re recording them.

You are not allowed to record police officers in private, in secret, or while breaking the law. For example, although it is legal to record police officers during traffic stops, it is illegal to record them through a window in a private home.

Why Do Cops Touch the Back of a Car?

Police officers touch the back of the car to put their fingerprints on it. This helps to prove that the officer was there with the vehicle when it was stopped at some point. It might not sound like much, but that single fingerprint can be a huge piece of evidence.

If you were to drive off before the police officer dismissed you, that fingerprint would be proof that they had stopped you before you took off.

What To Do After the Ticket Has Been Issued

If you’ve tried all of these tips and tricks, worked to make sure the police officer felt safe, and still gotten a ticket, there’s still hope. Being issued a ticket is only the start of the legal process. Yes, it would have been better to have been let off with a warning, but getting a ticket isn’t the end of the world.

After you’ve gotten a ticket, download the WinIt app and upload your information. The WinIt app can help connect you with the affordable legal help that you both need and deserve. The lawyers on WinIt app have countless years of experience fighting non-criminal traffic tickets of all kinds.

So, what are you waiting for? Download the WinIt app and get started fighting your ticket today!