Your heart starts pounding and that feeling of dread sets in the second you see those flashing lights in your rear-view mirror. You realize you're being pulled over by the police.
Let's face it, getting a ticket is a total buzz-kill.
Now here's some news we can all use. Did you know there are ways to reduce your chances of getting a ticket when you're pulled over by the police?
Auto Expert Steve Strope got some insider info from Officer Mike White that the cops never talk about publicly.
"What [people] shouldn't do is panic and slam on the brakes and then move over and stop in a place that's unsafe," White explains. "Not only is it bad for the driver, but it's unsafe for the officer as well."
He says you should make sure it's clear, use your turn signal and pull over to the right side as soon as practical where it's safe.
"So as you approach my car, have you already made a decision if I'm going to get a ticket or just a warning?" asks Steve.
"Not necessarily. As I'm walking up on a vehicle, I'm assessing the situation. I'm looking to see who's inside, what the driver's doing, if there's anything visible that I can see that might hurt me," replies White.
He also says that you should not be rummaging for your driver's license or going through a glove box or a center console for your registration. The officer might presume that you're either going for a weapon, or possibly hiding illegal drugs.
So what's the biggest factor that's going to determine if you get a ticket or just a warning?
"The main factor is your demeanor and your attitude," says White. "Are you that person acting like you just need a warning or do you need that consequence?"
Behavior that guarantees you'll get a ticket includes swearing, cursing, giving the officer the cold shoulder, acting as if you're in a rush or inconvenienced.
"And crying and begging usually doesn't work," adds White.
If you want to get off with a warning, White says you should act polite, be respectful to the officer, be sincere and humble. Have your driver's license with you, up to date, along with your registration that's current.
So remember, the next time you see those flashing red and blue lights and you're being pulled over by your local police, remember your attitude can go a long way in determining whether your receive just a warning or wind up paying the price.
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