when you pull someone over

[mlatino]

I know this is for law enforcement , but i would like to make a comment

Ive been pulled over aprox 10 times, 9 out of 10 i have gotten a citation, its either speeding (no more than 15 over), unsafe lane change, tint, no front plate etc. Only once out of those times i only got a warning.

Every time i get pulled over, i roll down my window, turn the engine off, put the keys on the passenger seat or cup holder, turn the interior lights on and keep my hands on the steering wheel.

I have had nothing but good turn outs when getting pulled over, i always got a citation, but i was never harassed (had some friends get harassed). So I noticed if i give you guys respect and good attitude , i get the same in return

10 traffic stops and 9 citations is pretty high IMO. Maybe it has something to do with your attitude or words of choice i.e "Why did you pull me over officer?" - before the Officer has a chance to open his/her mouth during the contact?

I don't know.. Just a thought.

[SVT-40]

Sometimes I stopped a driver knowing I was going to write a citation. Only to change my mind after talking with the person and give them a verbal warning.

Other times I stopped a driver knowing I was going to give a verbal warning. Only to change my mind after talking with the person and give them a citation.




Attitude matters!!


(In the last scenario insert Adam Henry for person) Just a bit of LEO humor. (Or Nora Henry Ida.)

[9mmepiphany]

Or Nora Henry Ida.

many times

[BillCA]

After 35 years of driving, I figure it this way...

You only get one chance to make a good first impression on the officer. If your attitude is mature, friendly and upbeat, chances are he will cut you some slack if and where he can.

Don't try to talk him out of the ticket. That seldom works and almost never if he's a dedicated traffic officer (motors or CHP). Instead, do your best to convince him you're a nice guy, have a sense of humor and you deserve a break. Let him figure that out. Usually, if he walks away from your vehicle smiling because you had a sense of humor, he'll downplay the speed or let you off with a warning.

I once had a CHP who was very stern pull me over. Jokes and humor seemed to bounce off of him. Before he left to write the ticket, he asked if I had any "drugs or weapons in the car". I laughed and said "Before I answer that, officer, I'll need to see your fishing license." Caught him off guard I guess and he laughed out loud. He asked again and said "No fishing license, no answer." I was pleasantly surprised when he came back, told me to slow down (I'd been doing 12 over and barely passing anyone), gave me my license back and said "Please drive safely." He did more for CHP P.R. in 30 seconds than all the expensive ads.

[Stonewalker]

After 35 years of driving, I figure it this way...

You only get one chance to make a good first impression on the officer. If your attitude is mature, friendly and upbeat, chances are he will cut you some slack if and where he can.

Don't try to talk him out of the ticket. That seldom works and almost never if he's a dedicated traffic officer (motors or CHP). Instead, do your best to convince him you're a nice guy, have a sense of humor and you deserve a break. Let him figure that out. Usually, if he walks away from your vehicle smiling because you had a sense of humor, he'll downplay the speed or let you off with a warning.

I once had a CHP who was very stern pull me over. Jokes and humor seemed to bounce off of him. Before he left to write the ticket, he asked if I had any "drugs or weapons in the car". I laughed and said "Before I answer that, officer, I'll need to see your fishing license." Caught him off guard I guess and he laughed out loud. He asked again and said "No fishing license, no answer." I was pleasantly surprised when he came back, told me to slow down (I'd been doing 12 over and barely passing anyone), gave me my license back and said "Please drive safely." He did more for CHP P.R. in 30 seconds than all the expensive ads.

haha! I love it. I'll add that one to my list. I'm always adding things to my "I know my rights and will assert them, but I don't want to sound like a smartass" list. It's a fine line and it's hard to stay on the good side, especially for people like me who are a bit introverted.

[Jonathan Doe]

I have never worked a traffic car. So, a citation was not a big deal for me. On the other hand, the guys work on traffic deatil may write more citations.

[zfields]

Man, wish more of you guys worked in nor cal.

I worked for a PD for 3 years in while in college ,non sworn but working with LEOS on calls hands on, have the utmost respect for police ( hell, im finishing my work now trying to get into state parole), never gave an once of attitude. Always got the windows down, the interior lights on, and keys on the dashboard.

Im 5/5 in the last 7 years, all CHP issued tickets. All less then 10 over.

Hell last year I got one for 61 in a 55 construction zone....at 5:30AM.

[Dooligan]

I got my first speeding ticket recently. I followed the rules, as I have a few friends that are LEOs. Keys on the dash, windows down, 10-2, polite and communicate intentions to have my hands leave the wheel.

I asked the officer how I handle the ticket (will I be notified by mail, do I have to just send this somewhere)...and he laughs and says "First one?"

I laugh back and say "Yeah, and I'm in sales. 32K miles a year, my friend"

His reply was priceless "So you've been dodging us for some time, huh?"

I couldn't help but laugh and say "yes, sir, I guess I have"

(He ended up knocking it down a few mph for me, which was greatly appreciated)

Granted, it was Alameda County SD, so I imagine they're in a pretty good mood when working the Sunol side of Norris Canyon.

[DannyInSoCal]

My wife gets pulled over all the time - But never gets a ticket.

And yes - She is smoking hot.

And yes - I married well above my place in life...

Thanx, D

[just4fun63]

Heck around here I only write them to justify the stop. Most are 12500 or 14601. FTAs or warrants. I told my partner the other night, if they have a valid driver's license I'm inclined to not cite them!

[tyrist]

If I do a traffic stop I always cite.

[GLuxury]

10 traffic stops and 9 citations is pretty high IMO. Maybe it has something to do with your attitude or words of choice i.e "Why did you pull me over officer?" - before the Officer has a chance to open his/her mouth during the contact?

I don't know.. Just a thought.

Haha ya i know its high .. I never ask why i was pulled over .. i clearly know why i was .. i never say the first words either .. i just wait for them to speak to me first

[oldsmoboat]

I haven't gotten a ticket in years. But mostly, I won't drive 10 over the limit. In the last 20 years I have probably been pulled over 6 times for speeding.
I am always polite and respectful. I immediately work in that I work for Caltrans and I have been lucky so far. No tickets.

My step-son graduated the CHP academy a few years ago. In the academy , they told them to go easy on Caltrans because if they were on the side of the road getting their *** kicked, that we were the ones that were going to stop and help.
I imagine that was in jest but he took it to heart.

[Escalado]

I stopped someone today on my way back to the office. He was doing 80 in a 50. Being that I was on my way back to end the workweek I was going to give him a verbal. Prior to exiting my vehicle he has his head outside of the drivers side window yelling at me that everyone drives 80 at 5am and he is the only one on the road. As I make contact he starts *****ing about how the speed limits are BS. I try to get a word in edgewise explaining that if he were to look to his right he would see (2) white crosses from a double fatal two months ago. He was not trying to hear it...so I cited him. HE LITERALLY TALKED HIS WAY INTO A CITATION.

[BillCA]

If I do a traffic stop I always cite.

Haven't made a mistake yet, huh?

I just made a midnite run to Safeway. On the way back, got pulled over and he told me stopped me because my registration is expired. The car's sticker says Jun and here it is August. So I handed him the valid registration card and told him I have the tags too. He checked, handed back the reg and then asked for my DL. "Huh? What's the point? Your entire PC for the stop evaporated the moment you realized my reg is valid." From the look on his face, you'd think he was passing a porcupine. I was glad he didn't push it... I had ice cream to get home.