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If you have been driving for any length of time, you have more than likely had a few run-ins with traffic cops. We laugh about it now, but when you see those flashing blue and red lights in the rearview, there isn't anything too funny about the fine(s) you will have to pay. I personally know the feeling all too well, just ask J.J. Stewart, the owner of this month's cover feature, and he will have a funny story to tell you about a ticket I received in 2007! Anyway, I know when I see those lights, my pulse begins to race a little and I start to wonder why I am being pulled over. Was I speeding or did I forget to renew my tags last month? Hmmmm...
Out of curiosity, I decided to sit down and interview a local "law dog" friend of mine and find the best things to do when you are pulled over by law enforcement to help minimize the cost of the ticket or, if you are lucky, to be let off with a simple warning. Most of what he told me during the interview can be considered common knowledge, but a few things may actually surprise you. Read on to find out what our anonymous law enforcement officer (name and agency withheld per his request) had to say....
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- How long have you been a law enforcement officer?
I have been a law enforcement officer in the State of Tennessee for over a decade now.
- When you pull a driver over, what should they do?
Pull over immediately and safely. Once pulled over, turn off your car, if it's night time turn on your dome light, and roll down all windows (if powered). Leave you hands in plain sight-- simply leave them on the steering wheel to be safe. DO NOT move around or fidget! Nothing makes an officer more nervous! If you don't have it out already, get your license and registration and proof of insurance upon the officer's request (hopefully you will have all of these things otherwise there will be a slight problem). Keep in mind attitude is everything. Oh yeah, don't tell me how you pay my salary because you don't pay me enough and keep in mind that the police don't make laws-- we simply enforce them!
- If a car comes up behind me flashing its red lights and I can't see it very well, do I have to stop when I don't recognize that it is a real police car?
Each State varies with what color lights are used by the police; most use all blue lights or a combination of blue, red, and white. If you are driving and are being pulled over... safely pull over to the right side shoulder and stop. However, we are aware there are individuals out there who purchase older police cars and commit crimes by posing as police officers. If you think the vehicle trying to pull you over is not a real police officer, do the following to ensure your safety: acknowledge the vehicle behind you by waving in your rear view mirror several times to let them know that you see them behind you, call 9-1-1 on your cell phone and identify yourself as the driver and give them your vehicle description and location, let the 9-1-1 Center know you are being pulled over and are not stopping because you don't recognize the vehicle behind you as a real police car, the 9-1-1 center can immediately check and let you know if a real police officer is behind you, tell 9-1-1 you are going to pull over and pick a very public place, don't hang up on the 9-1-1 center until the officer makes contact with you, 9-1-1 will tell the officer behind you what you are doing and where you are going which makes everyone safe. Once you are stopped, place both hands on top of the steering wheel and do not lunge or grab for anything in the vehicle as the officer approaches. Be polite and provide the Officer with all the required information as I mentioned in the previous question.
- How much can you go over the speed limit without getting pulled over?
In the state of Tennessee there is no basic speed law or flow-of-traffic law, so the speed limit is the speed limit-- period. However, if all the traffic is traveling about the same speed and you're not weaving in and out and doing silly things, you will usually not have a problem. If you do get pulled over, stating you were going the "flow-of-traffic" is an admission of guilt to the charge of speeding, so don't use it as an excuse!
- Why is it the guy in front of me can be going the same speed, but they get away and I get the ticket?
Unless we are set up for it, we can only stop one at a time, so consider it just your lucky day!
- Do radar detectors work from behind?
I just need you in my sights.
- What other things do drivers do that guarantee them getting pulled over?
Not yielding to emergency vehicles, taillight(s) burnt out, a "rolling stop" (a.k.a. California Stop) at a posted stop sign, cutting off drivers-especially police, driving too slow, playing with an adjustable suspension, loud music, passing within 100 feet of a vehicle, quick starts, expired plates, driving in the center turning lane, merging too slowly off a ramp into interstate traffic (negligent driving), and my number one thing... LOUD music. Keep in mind that the Tennessee vehicle code is rather large, along with most other states, so 99.9% of the time you are ALWAYS doing something wrong which can initiate a traffic stop for various infractions listed within the vehicle code.
- You can get a ticket for driving too slow?
Yes, and I have written a fair share of tickets for people driving LESS THAN 55 miles on the interstate and for also driving under the posted MINIMUM speed limit which is a no-no in Tennessee, especially on the interstate! In some cases driving under the speed limit is less safe than driving over-- believe it or not!
- Some states have front plates and some do not, but what stops a police officer from writing a ticket to an out-of-state driver whose car is not required, in the state of origin, to have a front plate?
Tennessee does not require a front plate, but federal law states that as long as the car is lawfully licensed in the state of origin, the driver has the right to travel interstate without complying with another state's registration requirements.
- What if I refuse to sign a ticket?
If you refuse to sign a ticket, be prepared to visit the inside of a jail! Keep in mind that a traffic violation is considered an arrest and signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt, just a promise to appear in court so that we can let you go. My advice, sign the ticket and state your case in traffic court.
- Ok, so you have a car pulled over, what things will make you impound it?
Driving with a suspended/revoked license, possession of drugs, weapons, and other illegal contraband will get your car towed to the impound.
- Elite Streets Magazine is a custom automotive magazine, so what about modifications to a vehicle?
First off, rollpans are illegal for an energy absorption device (bumper) is what is required and rollpans are not such devices. Also, hydraulics and air bag systems are illegal and if we catch you playing with them on the street, be prepared to get a ticket and a possible impound. However, officer discretion will always dictate!
- Thank you for your time, officer. Is there anything else you want to mention?
No problem, anytime. I have to mention that when you are at a stop light, turn down loud music! No one wants to hear your music, for it is obnoxious and it will more than likely get you a ticket. Also, when you see law enforcement on the side of the road, merge into the next lane, otherwise slow down to a crawl or you will get a ticket ($500 fine in Tennessee if you fail to do so, most states have a similar law). Buckle up and drive safe!
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NOTE: This interview is not legal advice, instead you should contact a competent attorney licensed to practice law in your state.
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