Safely Surviving A Traffic Stop
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Free photo 6096207 © Pcheruvi - Dreamstime.com
“You drive like an old lady.” This is what I’m told by most of my passengers—including my 70+ years young mother. I don’t speed. In fact, I make a habit of setting my cruise control one to two miles below the posted speed limit at any given time. I guess the people in my life think that the speed limit is merely a suggestion.
That said, imagine my surprise when, on a recent trip from Texas to Florida, I was pulled over by a police officer. He was positioned perpendicular to the highway and facing the westbound traffic. This means he had to back his car out--changing direction, in order to pursue me. The moment he hit his lights and siren, my heart began racing. I’ve seen media stories about traffic stops (involving both bonafide law enforcement and impersonators) gone bad. I was not going to be one of them.
Before pulling over, I did the following:
Committed to remaining calm despite what I was feeling. I also committed to moving slowly and deliberately—keeping my hands visible at all times.
Decided I would politely accept any ticket I received—without question.
Turned on my hazard lights, waved acknowledgement to the officer and decreased my rate of speed as I continued to drive until I felt it was safe to pull over. Gas stations, restaurants, fire stations, retail stores, etc. are good examples. In short, opt for places where other people are present.
Attempted to call a family member to “listen in.” I was in a cellular dead zone, which made the safety of my surroundings even more important.
Immediately retrieved the case containing my driver’s license from my purse, my insurance documents from my glove compartment and placed them on my dashboard.
Cracked my window just enough to hand the officer my documents.
Here’s what happened next:
Officer: “You need to let down your window.”
Me: “I can give you my driver’s license and insurance.”
Officer: “Yeah. Give me your driver’s license and insurance.”
Me “Would you mind telling me why you pulled me over?”
Officer: (no response).
Officer: “I need to see your registration.” “I need you let down your window.”
Me: “I can give you my registration.”
Officer: “Okay, well do that.”
He walks away and surveys my car for several minutes before returning.
Officer: “Your middle name is ____?”
Me: “It is.”
Officer: “Is that license plate frame for a sorority?”
Me: “It is.”
Officer: “Well the reason I pulled you over is because one of your tires crossed over the line between lanes back there.
Me: “Okay.”
Officer: “Also, your license plate frame is partially covering your plate and that’s illegal in the state of Alabama.”
Me: “Yes sir.”
Officer: “I’m going to check to see if you have any outstanding warrants, and if everything comes back okay, I’m not going to give you a ticket. But if you plan to be here awhile, you might want to remove the frame from your license plate.”
Me: “Thank you officer.”
Notice what I didn’t do:
Argue with (or question) him about lowering my window any more that necessary to give him what he needed. Instead, I redirected the conversation towards my proactively giving him the information he would need.
Question why he needed my vehicle registration papers when the sticker on my windshield clearly showed that my registration was current.
Press the issue when he ignored my query about why I was pulled over. Nor did I challenge his reason, once he finally came up with one.
Project an attitude indicative of anything other than courtesy, respect and cooperation. He was very rude. I wasn’t going to allow him to bait me.
I know that I had the misfortune of being pulled over for DW__, (I’m going to say driving while female travelling alone). Armed with this knowledge, I had one goal and one goal only. It was to get through the stop alive and uninjured.
I would have been well within my rights to question or challenge him on any of these issues. But just because it is within your rights to do a thing, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. I hope we never share this experience, but if we do, remember that this person is authorized by law to use lethal force. With that in mind, remain calm, be respectful and live to tell the tale.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts and experiences below.
Blessings!
Dawn
Your Toolbox Diva® (and fellow Champion Under Construction®)
Building Tomorrow’s Champions Today®