One of the most nerve-wracking moments you can experience when you’re driving is when you see those red and blue flashing lights in your rearview mirror. For many people, getting pulled over by the police can be a scary experience, even if you know you’ve done nothing wrong. When your nerves take over, it can be difficult to stay calm and act normal, so in today’s post, we will discuss what you should do if you’re pulled over.
Have you recently been pulled over and received a ticket you don’t believe you deserve? At the law office of Roselle & Breitigam, we can provide you with the legal counsel you need to contest your ticket and potentially walk away without paying a fine. Our expert team of defense attorneys is proud to provide our services to residents in Fort Collins and the surrounding areas. Explore our website to learn more about the services our defense attorneys can provide, and give us a call to request a consultation!
PULL OVER
When you see those flashing lights in your rearview mirror, the first thing you should do is start looking for a safe place to pull over. If you’re driving in a suburban area, you can either pull off on the side of the road, or if there isn’t room, you can pull into a parking lot so you’re not in the way of other vehicles. Once you’ve pulled over, make sure you put on your hazard lights to make yourself more visible to other vehicles on the road, especially if you’re pulled over at night
STAY CALM
In this type of situation, staying calm may be easier said than done. However, it’s vital that you do your best to not panic. Being pulled over by the police can make anyone feel a little nervous, even if you don’t believe you’ve done anything to warrant being pulled over. Try to take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves before the officer approaches your vehicle.
MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE
In addition to trying to stay calm, you also want to make it look like you have nothing to hide. If you’re pulled over during the day, an officer will be able to easily see inside your vehicle. However, if you’re pulled over at night, the darkness may make the police feel suspicious that you’re trying to hide something. Instead, consider turning on the overhead light inside your vehicle so that the office can see your face and hands clearly. Not only will this show that you have nothing to hide, but it reduces the risk of the office trying to claim they have reason to search your vehicle.
SHUT OFF THE IGNITION
When you’re pulled over by the police, you don’t want them to think that you’re going to try and run away. For this reason, we recommend turning off the ignition and placing your hands on the steering wheel once you’ve safely pulled over. If you leave your vehicle running, it may lead the police to believe that you are a flight risk, and they may approach your vehicle with more caution or look more closely to see if you’re hiding something. Turning your vehicle off, on the other hand, could help the officers feel more at ease and reassure them that you’re not going to bolt.
WAIT FOR INSTRUCTIONS
It’s good to be compliant and show the officer you mean no harm when you’re pulled over, but it’s more important to wait for instructions. Instead of collecting your driver’s license and vehicle registration before being asked, it’s better to wait until the officer instructs you to do so. Once the officer requests the documents, notify them before you reach into your glove compartment or center console so as not to arouse suspicion. You will also want to avoid talking too much, as that can make it appear like you’re hiding something. Instead, answer any questions with a simple yes or no.
BE POLITE
Another important thing to note, especially when it comes to communicating with the officer, is to show respect and be polite. Getting pulled over and potentially getting a ticket is not the best, and it can be frustrating, but acting angry will get you nowhere. It’s also recommended that you use respectful terms when addressing the officer such as “sir” or “ma’am.”
CONTACT ROSELLE & BREITIGAM TODAY!
Nobody likes getting pulled over, and if you were recently pulled over and received a ticket you would like to contest, the team at Roselle & Breitigam in Fort Collins is here to help! Our expert defense attorneys have years of experience working with people just like you, and we will work hard to help you achieve your desired outcome. Explore our website to learn more, and reach out to our team to request a consultation today!
