As some of you know I get pulled over often and haven't gotten a ticket in years. I will tell you how to do it. It is simpler than you may think.
Something you must remember is the officer is more afraid of you than you are of them. They have no idea if you made a simple mistake or if you are a wanted madman. You must keep everything as calm as possible, present yourself as respectful towards authority even if you are strongly against it. Speak to them as a human, because that is what they are. The final step is so simple, but so unused in the outside world it's sickening.
1. When first pulled over, put your window down.
2. Turn the car off when the officer is midway between your car and theirs. Do not turn the car off when first pulled over, do not turn the car off when they are at the side. Officers do not like to see movement, even if it's for the keys. You must shut off your car when the officer is midway between yours and theirs upon their walk to your vehicle.
3. Radio off, no matter what.
4. Turn interior lights on if it's night time.
5. Never ask what you did wrong. By asking you have already proved that you do not know the rules of the road. Giving you a ticket is a given to make you remember what you did wrong. Sometimes you didn't do anything wrong, you could be a car they are looking for... it's happened to me before.
6. Let them search your car if they ask. If you have nothing to hide you will be on your way faster. Being fully cooperative lessens the chance of you actually getting a violation. If you actually have something to hide, this is where my advice ends.
7. Look at them in the eye.
8. Keep your hands on the steering wheel in plain vision of the officer. Usually I keep them at 12 O'clock on the steering wheel close enough to be handcuffed, just for their safety.
9. If asked if you know what you did wrong, admit to it. Admitting to guilt does not mean this guarantees a ticket issued to you. Plus if you know what you did wrong and you say you are sorry the officers need to issue you a ticket declines.
One time an officer wrote me the ticket before I could tell him I knew what I did wrong, he advised me to go to court and he would forget my name. He even told me to say not guilty. I went and he was there too. I said not guilty and was dismissed, even with the officer there. He had bigger fish to fry though. People that he pulled over and found guns and drugs on. An illegal left hand turn was nothing.
10. When asked for your proof of ownership tell the officer where it is. I keep mine in my seat pouch and if they see you reaching what looks like under your seat, you bet they are getting a little paranoid. Simply tell them "My papers are in my seat pouch. I will slowly get them." I always reach for my papers slowly, never quickly, never naturally, slowly.
11. Never argue. Arguing will only make the officer mad and you can easily welcome additional tickets coming your way.
12. If you have on sun glasses take them off.
13. This one is tricky... you can joke around, ONLY if it seems alright. It can break the ice really fast if done properly. EX:
Officer: "How is your driving record?"
Me: "It's dirty."
Officer: "Why were you hauling a** out of every single stop sign?"
Me: "I just like hearing my V8 roar."
Officer: "If I let you go, do you promise to keep it under 80?"
Me: "Yes I do."
Officer: "Alright. I'm getting the *uc* out of here"
Me: "Have a good *uc*ing day officer."
Officer: "You too."
TRUE STORY. This was in my K5 Blazer, not the Marauder.
14. When they ask a question about the car, answer it properly. One time an officer wanted to know why I had gauges on my side pillar, my response was "They are there to monitor the air to fuel to make sure I don't blow up ANOTHER engine." He got a laugh out of it. Another time I was asked what kind of car it was, "Mercury Marauder" is all that had to be said. If I was being a wise guy I would have said "A sedan" or "A black one." Don't be a jerk, that's almost the bottom line.
15. Be honest. That is the bottom line. Officers see horrible things and meet liars often, probably by the hour. If you are honest the truth can set you free. There was even one time I was allowed to drive off on a suspended license... I wasn't aware it was suspended, but because I let them do everything... search the car, answered every question, etc. They let me go.
This advice is not given out so you can do whatever you want and get away with it. It's actually meant for people to have more respect towards police officers and as a result you will earn a little respect of your own. I personally do not think I can get off every time I get pulled over, but being honest is a rare occasion for a LEO from my point of view. Give them the gift of honesty and they will give you the gift of going on your way.
Be careful out there.
NOTE: Some officers are jerks, but keep in mind you will find people like this in every occupation. They might have had a bad day too, or just saved a bunch of lives and had the wife yell at them for the garbage not being taken out. It's a highly stressful job, sometimes you need to calm them down, as strange as this may seem.
By following this advice you will lessen the chances of a ticket issued or have a ticket reduced.
Happy driving out there.
Something you must remember is the officer is more afraid of you than you are of them. They have no idea if you made a simple mistake or if you are a wanted madman. You must keep everything as calm as possible, present yourself as respectful towards authority even if you are strongly against it. Speak to them as a human, because that is what they are. The final step is so simple, but so unused in the outside world it's sickening.
1. When first pulled over, put your window down.
2. Turn the car off when the officer is midway between your car and theirs. Do not turn the car off when first pulled over, do not turn the car off when they are at the side. Officers do not like to see movement, even if it's for the keys. You must shut off your car when the officer is midway between yours and theirs upon their walk to your vehicle.
3. Radio off, no matter what.
4. Turn interior lights on if it's night time.
5. Never ask what you did wrong. By asking you have already proved that you do not know the rules of the road. Giving you a ticket is a given to make you remember what you did wrong. Sometimes you didn't do anything wrong, you could be a car they are looking for... it's happened to me before.
6. Let them search your car if they ask. If you have nothing to hide you will be on your way faster. Being fully cooperative lessens the chance of you actually getting a violation. If you actually have something to hide, this is where my advice ends.
7. Look at them in the eye.
8. Keep your hands on the steering wheel in plain vision of the officer. Usually I keep them at 12 O'clock on the steering wheel close enough to be handcuffed, just for their safety.
9. If asked if you know what you did wrong, admit to it. Admitting to guilt does not mean this guarantees a ticket issued to you. Plus if you know what you did wrong and you say you are sorry the officers need to issue you a ticket declines.
One time an officer wrote me the ticket before I could tell him I knew what I did wrong, he advised me to go to court and he would forget my name. He even told me to say not guilty. I went and he was there too. I said not guilty and was dismissed, even with the officer there. He had bigger fish to fry though. People that he pulled over and found guns and drugs on. An illegal left hand turn was nothing.
10. When asked for your proof of ownership tell the officer where it is. I keep mine in my seat pouch and if they see you reaching what looks like under your seat, you bet they are getting a little paranoid. Simply tell them "My papers are in my seat pouch. I will slowly get them." I always reach for my papers slowly, never quickly, never naturally, slowly.
11. Never argue. Arguing will only make the officer mad and you can easily welcome additional tickets coming your way.
12. If you have on sun glasses take them off.
13. This one is tricky... you can joke around, ONLY if it seems alright. It can break the ice really fast if done properly. EX:
Officer: "How is your driving record?"
Me: "It's dirty."
Officer: "Why were you hauling a** out of every single stop sign?"
Me: "I just like hearing my V8 roar."
Officer: "If I let you go, do you promise to keep it under 80?"
Me: "Yes I do."
Officer: "Alright. I'm getting the *uc* out of here"
Me: "Have a good *uc*ing day officer."
Officer: "You too."
TRUE STORY. This was in my K5 Blazer, not the Marauder.
14. When they ask a question about the car, answer it properly. One time an officer wanted to know why I had gauges on my side pillar, my response was "They are there to monitor the air to fuel to make sure I don't blow up ANOTHER engine." He got a laugh out of it. Another time I was asked what kind of car it was, "Mercury Marauder" is all that had to be said. If I was being a wise guy I would have said "A sedan" or "A black one." Don't be a jerk, that's almost the bottom line.
15. Be honest. That is the bottom line. Officers see horrible things and meet liars often, probably by the hour. If you are honest the truth can set you free. There was even one time I was allowed to drive off on a suspended license... I wasn't aware it was suspended, but because I let them do everything... search the car, answered every question, etc. They let me go.
This advice is not given out so you can do whatever you want and get away with it. It's actually meant for people to have more respect towards police officers and as a result you will earn a little respect of your own. I personally do not think I can get off every time I get pulled over, but being honest is a rare occasion for a LEO from my point of view. Give them the gift of honesty and they will give you the gift of going on your way.
Be careful out there.
NOTE: Some officers are jerks, but keep in mind you will find people like this in every occupation. They might have had a bad day too, or just saved a bunch of lives and had the wife yell at them for the garbage not being taken out. It's a highly stressful job, sometimes you need to calm them down, as strange as this may seem.
By following this advice you will lessen the chances of a ticket issued or have a ticket reduced.
Happy driving out there.
