Have you instructed your kids how to behave during a traffic stop?

[hedgehog]

I tell my kids - hands on the wheel, don't go reaching into the glove box for the registration until requested by the officer.

Answer questions briefly and to the point.

[Phentex]

1. I suggest telling the officer everything you are doing...

my son keeps his license in his wallet. He needs to say, "I'm getting my wallet out of my pocket...I'm getting the insurance information from the visor." etc.

[davidpdx]

2. That seems like something that should be covered in driver's ed class

If the high school has it. I agree the parents should also sit down with their kids when they start driving and go through what to do. And to also explain to them that if you show a police officer respect and apologize it will sometimes buy you a little leniency.

[davsand]

3. We've had more than one discussion abut this recently!

How odd to see you ask this! Darling Daughter just finished behind the wheel training in Driver's Ed and this has been the subject of more than one discussion lately.

Turn on the interior lights in the car just as soon as you get it legally parked. Window gets rolled down partially. Hands are to rest on top of the steering wheel, and you greet the officer with something polite or inoffensive like, "Good evening/afternoon, officer." If they ask you "Do you know why I stopped you?" you ALWAYS say, "NO" because anything else could be taken as an admission of guilt.

She has also been completely grilled on "I do NOT consent to searches." and "Am I free to go?"

We'll go over it a few dozen more times, and I'll have a couple of our attorney pals chat with her about it before she gets turned loose with her license. My kid has grown up in the company of lawyers--many have been part of her circle since before she was born.


Laura

edited to correct spelling.

[jberryhill]

14. Parked in a SAFE legal place

It might not be a cop. Especially if it is an unmarked car with lights in the grill.

[davsand]

18. Oh yeah--the "unmarked car" discussion!

If it is an unmarked car, your four way flashers go on, and you proceed to the nearest WELL lit, Busy, PUBLIC place to park legally.

Yes, we have talked about that one. Darling Daughter said it had been suggested that you call 911 and tell them that you are proceeding to a public well lit place, however, I wonder about that due to the use of a cell while driving. She said they'd been told it was ok to call 911. I dunno. I need to ask a legal type about that one...



Laura

[hlthe2b]

4. Be excruciatingly polite, even if it "kills" you....

If, by chance, you are stopped by a "bad apple" it is hardly going to make things better by inciting him/her.

This one is hard for teens... Hell it is hard for most adults..But, necessary.

[davsand]

6. Exactly! Pissing them off only increases your danger.

My comment has always been that you will never win if you argue with a cop--they have guns and you don't. You do what they tell you as much as you can. If there's an issue, that's what the lawyers are for after you are away from the cop.


Laura

[cleanhippie]

5. And to NEVER, EVER consent to a search.

If a cop wants to search the car, he/she will do it, with or without your permission. If you GIVE them consent, anything they may find is admissable as evidence.

If asked to step out of the car, to do so, but close and lock the door. And only roll down the window enough to to talk to and pass paperwork to the officer.

And be polite.

[Puzzledtraveller]

17. ^^^this^^^

Even if you know you have nothing incriminating, do not do it.

[hack89]

7. Yes - my son is a smartass

I emphasized the "be polite to the nice policeman" several times.

[HappyMe]

8. No, not really.

I just told them to be polite, don't argue.

[geek tragedy]

9. Follow Chris Rock's advice

[kdmorris]

12. LOL... that was hilarious

I love how he keeps saying "probably won't..."

[FirstLight]

19. ...

Thanks! I *so* needed that!

[nessa]

10. My son plays sports, he knows the futility and bad consequences of arguing with a ref...

I told him the police are like the refs. Even you think they are wrong, you don't argue with them. He just had his first traffic stop last week. He texted "Evidently I ran a stop sign". He didn't agree, but he kept his mouth shut.

[A HERETIC I AM]

11. The police are NOT like the Refs!

A referee will not try and get you to say things he can use on you later in the game.

A referee will not stop you during the game for no reason.

A referee will not try and intentionally violate your constitutional rights just so he can call a penalty on you.

A referee does NOT carry a gun. A starter does, but he shoots it up in the air and it has blanks in it.

A referee will not knowingly lie at a hearing later on.

[slackmaster]

13. I never got pulled over during the years that I had a child in my care

The last time I got pulled over was 1986.

[sorefeet]

15. Stay in front of he camera if you can

Recorded messages and that camera can be you friend, remain polite. Police can be very dangerous and are not there to "protect and serve".

[Puzzledtraveller]

16. Never consent to a search, never

Always be polite, plus what you mentioned. This is what I was told by my dad. The officer will say nonchalantly, do you mind if we take a look inside your car, "yes I do mind" "you cannot search or take a look inside my car" for example, this includes the trunk and any storage devices.

[sarisataka]

20. I tell my son

who is 5 to loudly shout "But dad I really gotta go!"