Stopped by the Cops

Imagine yourself just getting off work on the late night shift, and you are on your way home. As you’re driving, your mind begins to wander. You start thinking about some of the most random things, from what you are going to eat, to your plans for next week, or even to imagining a fight between Jackie Chan and Sasquatch. As you’re thinking of all of this, you don’t even realize your foot is pressing itself heavier on the pedal and your speed goes from 35 in a 30 to 45 and 50, all while you begin to swerve around the road.

Just before Jackie Chan finishes off Sasquatch, the flashing red and blue lights bring you back to reality. You know you will be getting a ticket, but don’t know what to do. This is a very nerve-racking situation for both you and the officer. While you are sitting in the vehicle not knowing whether you should get your insurance information, get out of the vehicle, turn the car off, or even turn on your lights, the officer is nervous, because he doesn’t know what he is walking into. He could be walking to a nice citizen, a drunk, a murderer – the possibilities are endless.

Everyone has a different reaction when getting pulled over, but three main types of reactions tend to stand out: understanding and calm, very emotional, or raging hard. All of these situations can lead to different resolutions. Now the real question is, what should you do when you get pulled over and what is the best attitude that you should have?

Sometimes being in the situation where you get very emotional and have a panic attack or even shed some tears can help you in a tough spot with the officer. “I just didn’t see the cop coming up the hill,” claims Vanessa Howell, a junior at the New Ulm High School who got pulled over for cutting off a police officer at a three way stop intersection. “As I was going across I noticed him right there, he just appeared out of no where. It freaked me out and I began to panic as he pulled me over. I just couldn’t control myself. It was my first time getting pulled over. I was scared and didn’t know what to do,” she said. The officer gave her a verbal warning, telling her to be more cautious of her surroundings.

There are other situations that put you in a bad spot, showing frustration and anger toward officers. “There should be no reason for pulling me over when I’m doing no harm to others,” says New Ulm High School Alumni Kenneth Griebel, who got pulled over outside  his house for having too many fog lights than the legal limit on his truck. “Who pulls a guy over in the daylight for something like that?” he added. Although Kenneth got away with a warning, the chances of getting away with no fine increase with more cooperation.

“I just remained calm and told the officer that I was in the wrong,” says New Ulm High School junior Kurtis Monge, who always decides to remain calm and be respectful to the officer in any situation. Kurtis got pulled over on Highway 14 coming home one morning from Mankato doing 73 in a 65. “I pulled right over and just fully cooperated with him. I told him I was in the wrong and that I was sorry. I feel that being respectful to the cop is how I got away with only a written warning.” Remaining calm is the best way to act when dealing with the authorities; it makes it easier for them, which could lead to a better chance with the warning.

There are always things that can help you get out of a ticket other than your attitude. For instance, when you are first getting pulled over, pull over right away; if you take your time the officer could assume that you are trying to hide something or potentially get away.

When you stop your vehicle do not exit your vehicle, unless you are given permission to do so. New Ulm High School senior Cole Clark was driving around town with a couple of friends one evening when he got pulled over unexpectedly. “I was completely clueless about why I would be getting pulled over, since I didn’t do anything. So I got out of the truck as she sat in her squad car and questioned her,” he said.

One of the most important things to do is to remain in your vehicle. If you exit your vehicle, the officer may assume you are trying to either get rid of something, attack the officer, or make a run for it. Luckily, nothing happened as an outcome of Cole’s event –  he received a written warning for illegal cab lights on his truck, as well as a verbal warning for a potentially loud exhaust.

When you stop in your vehicle while getting pulled over, turn on your lights and place your hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to approach before doing anything else. This is so the officer knows you’re not trying to hide anything or reach for anything. Once the cop does get to your vehicle and he asks for your license and proof of insurance, then you may proceed to getting what you need.

Reactions vary when getting pulled over, but being calm and courteous to the officers is a good way to ensure that the situation will be much safer and lead to less conflict for you, and the law.