What should you do if you get pulled over by the police?

“Generally officers are on high alert after pulling you over. You should always remain calm and comply to avoid any issues,” he says. Remember: The police officer is merely doing their job by enforcing the law, and panicking is only going to make the situation that much more tense. Don’t remove your seatbelt.

What should you do when pulled over by an unmarked vehicle?

You can call 911 to verify that the unmarked vehicle pulling you over is an on-duty officer. Or, ask to see the officer’s badge and photo ID. If the officer won’t present it, request to call another officer. Always call 911 if the situation appears to be threatening or unsafe. Follow the officer’s instructions.

Where should you put your hands when you get pulled over?

Generally, Simeone strongly suggests keeping your hands where the officer can see them. “Police officers are often nervous when they approach a car—they do not know the intentions of the occupants or whether they have any weapons,” he explains. “So, keep your hands on the steering wheel or otherwise in sight.”

Do you take off your seatbelt when pulled over by the police?

Don’t remove your seatbelt. Until the police officer can clearly see what you’re doing, do not take off your seatbelt.

The process to properly handle getting pulled over begins as soon as you see the flashing lights in your rear view mirror. You need to safely (but as quickly as possible) get over to the side of the road where you and the police officer are out of harm’s way.

What should you do if you encounter a police officer?

You need to safely (but as quickly as possible) get over to the side of the road where you and the police officer are out of harm’s way. That starts by making your way over to the right side of the road.

What do you do when a police officer is harassing you?

Pull over in a way that will be most likely to calm down an angry or annoyed traffic officer. Use your turn signal to indicate any lane changes from left to right, and slow down fairly quickly, but not so quickly that the officer will have to brake to avoid hitting you.

What do police officers look for during a traffic stop?

An officer enforcing a traffic stop isn’t looking just for furtive movements. Officers will look for anything incriminating that’s in “plain view” (like open beer or wine bottles, joints, or roach clips).