11:04 People reaching for things in cars, police misinterpret it as reaching for a gun.... I've seen videos of exactly that happening. It's even worse because the cop specifically ASKS for your license, and you are keen to do what he says.... and you get shot in the head. *ADVICE TO EVERYONE* have your documents ALREADY VISIBLE ON THE DASHBOARD so you *DON'T* have to reach anywhere. Those documents should be already there from the moment you get in your car JUST IN CASE.
*ALSO* when you stop, take your seat belt off because the cop may say "get out of the car"... so you reach for your seatbelt release.... and you get *SHOT IN THE HEAD* and the cop says, "I thought he was reaching for a weapon." Wind your window down BEFORE the cop gets to you. If he has to tap on the window and you reach for the button/handle to lower the window, the cop will see your hand move .. *BANG* ... oh dear, I thought he was reaching for a gun. Another one bites the dust.
I used to have a job as a bartender and would get out around 4 a.m. and drove an old jeep wrangler at the time. An average of 3 times a month I was getting pulled over for about 4 months in a row. This was before they could pull you over for anything in Michigan and they would use a made up reason like a taillight out that was mysteriously back on or swerving. Around half of the time they would want me to submit to roadside tests or following light with my eyes and I felt a duty to comply even though I was always completely sober. Then I got sick of it one night and used creative language to tell them how I felt and called them liars, and followed it up with a complaint. Was only pulled over one more time in the next couple months and repeated telling them how i felt along with another complaint and they completely stopped. So I agree for the most part, but there is a line and changed tactics when I felt the line was breached. One of the times they gave me a ticket for speeding for 85 in a 70 using "pacing" to determine my speed and I went to court and told the judge that my vehicle couldn't reach those speeds along with a video showing me topping out at 76 on the expressway with the pedal floored and she dressed the officer down.
@@syndicatex8902 I was curious too. She mentioned a Wrangler though, so that's probably it. I owned a 4cyl wrangler and I don't remember ever taking it over 70mph so it probably jives.
Justin , you should upload that "video showing me topping out at 76 on the expressway with the pedal floored" and tell us here how to find it on TH-cam.
Being pulled over by a cop is exactly like having a conversation with an abusive parent. It somehow becomes your job to manage their emotions or you will suffer great repercussions.
Simple courtesy that I would give to any stranger when given to a police officer will go miles and miles toward working toward a good outcome to an encounter. I have had way too many encounters with traffic officers in my many years. Quite a few have resulted in no issues simply because I am almost always polite, kind, and safety conscious. I just wish to reinforce your words of wisdom, and to thank you for your fantastic coverage on TH-cam.
About 30 years ago I was pulled over for speeding on a highway in city next to where I lived. After I had handed over my license and registration, the trooper asked me if I knew [name]. I said yes and that he was my father. I asked him how he knew my father. He said that my dad was suing him (he was a lawyer and was representing a client who was suing the trooper for some civil rights violation). The trooper was actually very nice and let me go with a warning.
LOL, I had that happen to me only it was an ex room mate they were looking for. That cop was one of the guys that came to my house to arrest him and drag him off a couple years prior. I had a very distinctive car and he recognized it from the bust and pulled me just to see if I was him. He asked me where he was and I told him in your own county jail (he had gotten locked up again after getting out from the last arrest). He laughed, gave me my license back and let me go
I forwarded this video to my daughter. I have told your story to her many times. The last time she was pulled over she followed your advice, and the same result occurred. No ticket.
Really depends on the officer. I've been pulled over 3 times. 2 times, the officers were friendly but fair. The other time, the officer had a bad attitude before I could say anything, and that was 6 over.
@@Refort610 In Raleigh NC, a Judge threatened to cite a cop for contempt of court for bringing him a 5 over defendant. I think you might be in the wrong state. In NC, 9-10 over is where the draw the line.
My wife and all her sisters have never received a ticket. I have never not received a ticket. Edit: I did get illegally pulled over after the dealership i bought my car from taped the temporary tag in the rear windshield. The cop let me go after asking for my ID and then saying, "a lot of people steal cars and do that."
I concur. Story #1 My recent trip to Missouri I got pulled over just before crossing state line. I did everything you mentioned and things went easy peasy. He had clocked me at h90 in a 65. He ran my license and came back a told me I was free to go. My ticket would of been probably $400 and Discretionary impound and/or jail. Story #2. I was headed to my brothers house on my motorcycle for a nieces birthday party. I hopped on the interstate for a short 3-4 mile trip to the needed exit. When I entered the interstate I hit the gas a zoomed up to 150+ for a few seconds (Italian tuneup). Hitting the exit I noticed a trooper on my six with lights on. I immediately stopped and was awaiting my fate. He was so appreciative that I stopped that he looked at my paperwork and let me go with a “your old enough to know better than speeding like that.” Yes sir you are correct sir. Thank you Sir.
Great video Steve. It’s what I always try to tell people, it’s always about perception. The next level or topic of conversation should be about drivers who actively monitor all traffic laws and still get pulled over.
As a young and dumb man I was under the impression (in my own mind) that I owned the roads. I was a frequent "customer" of the local courts and as such had frequent interactions with various law enforcement. In those interactions I've been told by several LEOS that in most cases, the officer has already determined whether they are giving you a ticket before they step out of their vehicle. Many LEOs have also stated to me that you can talk yourself into a ticket but not out of one. You nailed it on the head when you said the officer was only looking for drivers under the influence and that's why he let you go. I'm glad you had a reasonably positive interaction and I'm not one to judge your choice of conduct during the traffic stop. I watch a lot of videos on the topic of "auditing" police interactions and enjoy the topic being discussed. I'll look forward to your next video about being pulled over in 2028 since you seem to have a 6 year grace period between traffic stops
I got my 1st mechanic job in 1984 and I've owned over 40 used cars. I've been through almost every situation with them. fortunately I never killed or injured anyone with my past driving antics. 🙄🏁
Before I retired from 50 years in the grocery business, all these holidays were terribly busy in the stores, and on the way home we had to avoid those that were intoxicated and were inclined to play bumper cars. I am retired now, ain't no way I am going to any store. I will buy holiday stuff and meal fixings in July if I have to. All of you be safe this season.
used to do overtime at night for the state. VSP that hung out at the crash house: after 3 pm, 1 in 5 may be drunk; after 10 pm, 1 in 3; after 1 am 2 our of 3. more so on weekends. one night at 2 am i was extra alert. out of about 6 other vehicles on the road i think the PA Oil tanker was the only sober driver (and i wasn't real sure about him). chilling to think that if you're at a red light in traffic with about 30 other stopped cars, as many as 6 of them may have drunks driving them.
Your comment on drinking during the holidays reminded me of why my brother (former police) says they get so many domestic calls over the holidays: 1) People get together, haven't seen each other in a year or more. 2) To loosen up and make things more bearable, they drink a beer or two. 3) After the third or fourth, they remember *_why_* they haven't seen each other in a year or more.
It's funny how ambulance calls follow that basic rule. Just because they're family, doesn't mean they're necessarily going to be nice to the patient, or me. Rather more than likely family just complicates the scene.
I think that's a part of it. People also stress at this time of time of year because it brings home loneliness, dysfunctional families, relationship breakdowns etc. That leads to substance abuse and depression. A dangerous mix.
As a retired law enforcement officer I can’t tell you enough how much your tips mean to me! I know 90% of my stops did not result in criminality being found. But I also know that the one time I let my guard down, my baby girl may never see me again. I like to put it like this: imagine your job was to encounter people during their most humiliating and their best “not citizen award of the year” day. After awhile it’s hard not to get hardened. And depending on where you work and when, scared. If I approach a vehicle and the dome light is on, the people in the vehicle are listening and responding to questions made my life so much easier… It’s not a power play for most LEOs. It’s just a “I wanna go home at the end of my shift” thing…
for the most part, police are honorable people trying to keep our streets safe. I can see the unpredictability of people, and I've seen the videos where people just got ape shit crazy and get violent. why make their jobs harder? just be reasonable and polite
I remember the last time you talked about this. Not more than 4 days later I was on a business trip driving to an area that I had never been through and while trying to find the right road at dusk, I missed the reduced speed limit and was pulled over. It was in a very isolated area and I remembered your suggestions and followed them exactly. I also found that everything changed when I asked him if I could reach for my wallet in my back pocket. The interaction became friendly and he listened to my excuse and I was sent on my way with a warning to slow down. I certainly did not feel like I was kowtowing to the policeman in any way - he had a difficult/dangerous plus essential job as it was and I actually felt good that I did not make it any more difficult for him - not getting a ticket made me feel even better
Exactly correct! When I took driver's training back when we drove dinosaurs (standard transmission), I was taught to be polite, say you're sorry, and promise not to do it again. I have been pulled over and that doesn't always get you out of a ticket, but I'm positive it got me a verbal warning instead of a "10 over". I also have a plate with the veteran's designation and my driver's license says the same thing. I've seen the policeman's face light up and smile when asking me about my service job and what it meant to me. Good advice, Steve, those who wish to ignore are missing the boat on this one.
Never admit guilt( say sorry only if you’re a Canadian , we actually have established legally that an apology is not admission of guilt don’t think that’s true many other places) , still be polite and courteous
For the most part, I’ve always had the license, registration, and insurance card ready in my hand when they got up to the window. Helps a lot, I can tell you. The very last time that I got pulled over was in a big dump truck. One of my mirrors hit a branch on the way out of a quarry, and I didn’t notice until I was going down the road. I turned off the main road, and pulled over onto a wider part of the shoulder, well off the road. I didn’t realize that the trooper was back there until I clambered my way out of the cab. I’m getting a bit old, and I have to “unfold” myself whenever I get out of a cramped vehicle. I headed back to go around the truck, and here is a squad, and a portable scale car behind him! He said”I didn’t even turn my light on!” I said, “I didn’t even know you were back there!” I explained that my right-hand mirror was knocked out of line, and I needed to fix it. He asked what I was hauling, and I told him, and that because it was an “in-house” job, a light load, nowhere near capacity. Got him the scale ticket, registration, insurance and my CDL. He hobnobbed with the scale guy, and as I got done adjusting my mirror, he asked if I was up for an inspection. I said, “sure, but it was inspected about a month ago, and we take care of this old girl.” Bear in mind, this was a 1978 Mack truck. The wheels and tires were all good, all the lights worked, and the cab was clean, no garbage. The scale guy shook his head, and the trooper gave me back all the documentation, and sent me on my way. I guess he didn’t want to waste time on someone that obviously took good care of the vehicle!
yeah reaching for anything including those documents before being confronted by the LEO has had a loaded cocked pistol aimed at my head quite a few times. The only things I reach slowly for is the interior light first then the window control then both hands in full view. BTW I typically have a firearm in the vehicle or on my person. Have not had a firearm aimed at me since adopting that policy. LEOs have an extremely difficult job and I don't want to make it harder unnecessarily and I don't want to get shot/killed over a traffic stop because of my actions and perhaps the officer having a tough day. You never know how their last stop went of if they just found out that their wife is cheating on them. But as Steve says: you do you... you will be the one dealing with the consequences of your choices. That's your right no matter the outcome.
They discourage getting all that stuff out while slowing or before the cop gets to the window. If you do it while pulling over you might veer. If you do it whoie the cop is still back there he now has to worry about what you're reaching for. Just put your hands on the wheel and do as Steve did. But I guess if you have all that stuff in your visoror a big rig container is blocking read view go ahead and be prepared. But in a car? Do as Steve did.
The problem with pulling your wallet out before they get there is 1. you probably won't have your seat belt on when they get to your window, and 2. if they can see you moving around it makes them nervous and then more inclined to want to search your vehicle.
having my keys, drivers license and insurance/registration on the dashboard saved my life. i got pulled over one time, driving down a street with stop signs on every block, so clearly not speeding I turned on the dome light and rolled down the windows and had my hands on the driving wheel, and the cops came up screaming, put a gun to my head, one on the other side put a gun to my date's head, screaming "GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING KEYS!!!" and I reached to the dashboard and handed them over. Then he yells "GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING WALLET!" and I handed that over. He takes the keys and wallet and walks back to his car and another cop comes up and puts a gun to my head. I'm looking at my date and trying to keep her calm. At one point they threatened to paint the windshield with my brains if I moved A couple of minutes later, the first cop comes back, chucks my wallet and keys on my lap and says we can go. My car "matched the description" of one they were looking for. They were so worked up. My preparation kept me alive in a scenario when they were straight up ready to murder me. But I survived Get your stuff on the dashboard in advance, it could save your life
So let me get this straight. Being considerate and respectful resulted in a good outcome? Shocking! Strange times we live in. Keep up the good work and have a great weekend.
From my experience....being awkward AF also helps lmao. I be getting pulled over left and right with no insurance and expired registration and be let go with just a warming 😅
Crazy I know!! He didn't mention this but this tactic applies to pretty much everything from customer service agents to cops! If you're nice, understanding and considerate, people will usually do everything they can to help you out. Heck I've worked as a store manager and that was true with me when people came in w expired coupons or returns without a receipt
@@hisdivineshadow8263 Eventually, that will hash itself out, but you're starting with an unknown empty slate. Showing respect earns respect. Hostility invites hostility. Are you going to act like a jerk until the cop "earns" your respect? Let me know how that works out for you. They are in the position of power in any traffic stop. Even if they're wrong. Especially if they don't have body cams. Take your chances if you want to, but extending an olive branch at the beginning and showing respect for the POSITION, not the individual, is way more likely to be an on-ramp to a good experience, while a hostile attitude will likely be responded to in kind as well. In recent years, we have lost a big chunk of our civility toward one another. There are horrible cops out there. A good way to make them the even worse is to initially display a bad or combative attitude. This applies pretty much universally. Always put yourself in the shoes of the other. Don't shoot the messenger. For instance, it's not the customer service rep who made your product defective. What possible good could come from being an a-hole to them? Being respectful and nice will almost always yield a better outcome. You can still play hardball while being respectful.
I totally agree with how you handled the stop. There is nothing wrong with being initially polite and cooperative, because that can change if the officer escalates unnecessarily. I do want to know, however, if this was "that" officer who was bent on getting his felony stop for the month checked off and asked if you mind if he searched your vehicle, what would you have done?
saying where you came from when you don't need to, if you want, is not that big a deal, agreeing to a search is bonkers. You don't have to be rude about it though. "With all due respect, I think that is overly invasive and unnecessary here"
The last time I had an interaction with the police at the side of the road I was already at the side of the road. A State Trooper pulled up behind us just to see if we were OK. Being on a desert not far from Death Valley, we appreciated his presence.
I had that happen years ago in California. We had already called AAA and we were on the shoulder. The Highway Patrol officer told me that checking on stranded motorists was part of his job. Another time my vehicle died on the freeway near San Francisco and I was in a tiny space in front of a bridge abutment. CHP showed up almost immediately, pulled in behind me with lights on and stayed until I got a tow. I always had good luck with them.
I had that happen years ago in California. We had already called AAA and we were on the shoulder. The Highway Patrol officer told me that checking on stranded motorists was part of his job. Another time my vehicle died on the freeway near San Francisco and I was in a tiny space in front of a bridge abutment. CHP showed up almost immediately, pulled in behind me with lights on and stayed until I got a tow. I always had good luck with them.
@@angelachouinard4581 Wow, I’m in California and have had no such luck, not even stranded at night in the pouring rain with my hazards on, just drove right past.
@@strawpiglet Have to admit it was decades ago. So I guess another service has gone downhill. That they just drove by really sucks. Guess it's good I left California.
This is an excellent video, great points Steve. Everyone is human and we all make an occasional mistake. Not all cops have bad attitudes or behave in an unprofessional manner.
My dad was a city cop, rhey are just trying to not have a bad day or worse, get dead. You are spot on with how to handle that transaction lololoolol Take care and Thx for sharing from Wyoming Yes I know this was a year ago :-) Still good advice....
I saw the weirdest thing in traffic court a few years ago. I was in to contest a speeding ticket, and the guy in front of me was looking for a reduction in his fine for something. The judge asked him why he should reduce the fine. I was expecting the usual; "Money is tight", "I got laid off" etc. Nope. The guy says "Because of this" and starts dancing like the gopher from Caddyshack. The judge laughed and dismissed the ticket. I got up there and said... "Sorry, I can't top that." He said "Fair enough, $25 at the window and you're good to go". Considering it was a $90 ticket, plus mandatory fees and surcharges (likely over $300 when all was said and done... they can be real a-holes with some of those fees in NY), I got a hell of a deal just piggy-backing off of some crazy guy dancing in court, lol. Guess the judge was in a very good mood that day. Even having seen that tactic work, I don't think I'd have the balls to try it myself, lol. But thanks crazy dancing guy!
The safety advice most lawyers give you for dealing with police is to [better] protect you vs bad cops, not the good ones like this incident. Be polite - yes, but do not answer any questions, no matter how inconsequential they may be. The #1 rule is, STFU.
It was good to hear this perspective. Thank you I’m hard wired to follow traffic laws because of decades of clients in my car. I have two little foster children that I transport daily. I carry concealed. I’m polite. I’m not going to escalate a cop while I’m carrying, but I’ve been stopped twice in the past eight years for speeding with only a license requested: no speeding tickets, ever. I never even disclosed the pistol or produced my CCW. I was never asked. All that being said, I did pretty much exactly as you described I was taught that in drivers Ed in 1976.
My experience is pretty similar. In the last 20 years I have probably been pulled over 3 or 4 times, and only gotten a ticket once. One or two of them I was on my way home from a bar after a few drinks. The one time I did actually get a ticket was for a simple right on red I made on my way home from work after my company moved to a new location and I was quite familiar with the route home from there, having driven that road many times in earlier years. With that familiarity I was basically driving on auto pilot while still thinking about work, so I did not even realize that they had put up a no right turn on red sign at the intersection, so I legit had no idea why the cop pulled me over. I didn't even realize that I had made a right on red, which is why when he asked, I said I thought the light was green, and that was probably why he gave me the ticket instead of letting me go.
I get pulled over every 5 or 6 years (usually for speeding). The last time I actually got a ticket was in 2004. I'm always polite & courteous. I try and stay calm. I keep my hands where they can be seen. I may not ask permission, but I always say what I'm going to do ("My wallets in my back pocket. My license is in it."). Don't be in a hurried. What you want is to keep the temperature down. It's an unwanted interaction, but it doesn't need to devolve into a confrontation, one you are bound to lose.
Great video Steve! The part about putting hands on the wheel and turning the dome light on at night was especially helpful. In my 51 years of driving, I have been let off more often than written up by being cooperative rather than confrontational. I noticed you advised to ask permission to reach in your wallet for your license, RATHER THAN have your license in your hand already when the officer comes to your window. Would I be correct in guessing that if they see you reaching for anything, before, or while approaching your car, that could potentially lead to disaster?
@@SoloPilot6exactly. I turn my truck off, roll my window down, and hang my hands out of the window, over the window seal so there's no question what I'm doing. And they stay there the entire time until the officer asks for ID & insurance.
I have been stopped and let go with no ticket, at least 8 to ten times, from when I started driving at 16 (1962) until about 5 or 6 years ago. I did the exact same thing you did, Steve. Doesn't cost a dime to be polite, even if the cop is a jerk.. Learned a long time ago that if you lose your temper, you'll lose.
Everything you stated here I am in 100% agreement with. I’ve only been stopped a few times even after 30+ years driving a service van 5 days a week, and many many miles in my personal vehicles.
LMAO!!!! "Is my carpool fee going to go up" You are right, they are on edge, especially in today's world. What you did is exactly what a person should do. I got pulled over once with my dog, I had a piece of pizza in my hand when he came to the window. I had a big dog that was gentle as a Lamb. But anyway, he asked for my DL. I set the Pizza on the seat, and fido lapped it up in 2 seconds. The officer laughed his ass off and said" slow down. and have a nice day" I could see him shaking his head as he went back to his patrol car. It was a Good Day!!
Thanks, I agree with everything you said and have had the same outcome. I also remain chill until its time to exercise my rights. Then “I don’t answer questions” !
Couldn't agree with you more. I'm 60 years old and have been pulled over 22 times in my life and got 5 tickets out of it (2 of those dismissed in court) Treat the officers with respect and they will treat you a LOT better!
Cooperation is the key as you stated. I was a SPO for about 9 years and ended up switching careers to become a career firefighter/EMT. I continued part time as a SPO. I was permitted to only carry my duty firearm to and from my SPO employment. I had only been pulled over a few times as I had often driven different "toys", (historic tagged pickups or muscles cars). Your actions and mannerisms go a long way. Window down, engine off, flashers on, hands out the window, VERY important when carrying!!, eye contact, politeness, and more, is not kissing ass or giving in. I only presented my credentials when I had permission. The officer/deputy is in charge of the stop and calls the shots for their safety and yours. Sorry about the pun. A few years ago I was pulled over in my 1959 F100 for a flickering tail lamp. After the business chat, the deputy spent more time looking at my truck and asking about repairs and modifications. Turns out that he was a gearhead and had a couple of his own projects. We are still friends to this day.
My last time I was pulled over by an officer was 9 years ago (time before that was in 1973). That last stop I also pulled over in a place safe for both of us, dropped the driver's side window, and waited. His first words were "Do you know why I stopped you?" My answer was a polite "No, sir." He then told me I hadn't yielded to him when his lane ended. (Quick background: Two traffic lanes in my direction of travel, half mile of signs saying right lane ends, arrows in right lane showing merge. Me in continuing lane, officer in ending lane, adjacent to me.) He asked for driver's license, registration, and insurance, I provided concealed pistol license, driver's license, registration, and insurance. (There is no requirement in my state to inform an officer of the presence of firearms.) He said he was going to give me a ticket for failure to yield. I said my dashcam would show something different in court (pointed at camera). He then asked if there was anything in the car that he should be aware of and I responded "pistol, condition one." He backed up looking like he was going to pee his pants, and started twitching toward his gun. (I was probably legally carrying when he was still pooping in his diapers.) Took me four times telling him to look at my CPL in his hand before he understood what I was saying and looked at the CPL on the top of the stack. At that point he handed my papers back, said have a nice day, went back to his patrol car, and drove away. I honestly don't know how to rate that stop.
This is true good advice When I was 20 I was taking a Date home when I was speeding a little over the limit, I was pulled over by a State Trooper I Did just what you advised even had my date put her hands on the top of the dash board as he walked up. I drove away with a warning I Do not remember how long he held us up but it was a very short time.
Attitude is everything. Being polite and respectful is free, it doesn't cost you anything. As a former cop I can't tell you how much that means to a police officer on the side of the road. You are correct Sir. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
As a person, if someone treats me like shit, they will get treated like shit. Same with a cop. I watch some of these Auditors, and man, the majority of them deserve to be thrown in jail and the key tossed.
Great video Steve. I got pulled over a couple years ago on the way to pick up my daughter from a friend's house. I was speeding a bit on a very long, very straight , well travelled country road and realized it when I saw the cop car lights go on behind me and looked at the speedometer. A Bay County deputy came to my window and told me I was speeding and he asked me if I knew how fast I was going. I was very polite and admitted that I did, but didn't realize my speed until I saw him turn on his lights. I was honest and told him I was just going to get my daughter and was listening to the Red Wings game on the radio and didn't realize the speed I was travelling. The cop was very good about it. Told me to slow down and gave me a warning. Hey, I was guilty and he was just doing his job. He could of given me a ticket. I was going 12 mph over. He had me. I think he appreciated that I admitted it, was polite, and was cooperative. Saved me money and points and it took no effort on my part to behave that way. I appreciate the deputy exercising discretion in my case.
I absolutely agree that you have to be careful with the officer, hands on wheel or reaching for the wallet. The cops have legit concerns for dangers. I also believe that you have to protect your rights, ie. not answering questions. You can do that politely.
Weirdly symmetrical story I've got for you: when I was a bit younger, I was also pulled over for going 62 in a 45 -- my cop came up with 62 because that's the speed he had to go to catch up with me. In reality, I went up to 50 and he didn't appreciate the speed with which I did it and just wanted to chew me out. Wouldn't say I was as polite as I should have been (I was incredulous at the allegation that I was going 62), but I kept everything visible, had my stuff ready on my dash, had dome light on, etc. No ticket was issued.
I once had a cop claim I had to be doing 50 in a 30 because he had to do 60 to catch up to me once we got to a straight section of road. I guess if he'd gone 75 to catch up sooner he'd have though I'd been doing 60. I was ready to back out of the driveway at night and he was still 100 yards down the road. I figured I had plenty of time so I backed out, then headed up the curvy, residential road the way I usually did when I was 17. I told him there was no way I'd been doing 50, but after awhile figured I was better off not arguing. He didn't give me a ticket, and the next day I checked to see if there was any chance I really was doing 50. I decided there's no way I got above 45, and was probably doing a hair over 40.
Sometimes these guys must be physics savants when they come up stuff like that. I’ve had one scream at me that he had to go 130 mph to catch up to me and how fast I must have been going… idunno man prob like 75 mph along with the rest of traffic, I had a huge head start ya dummy, sounds like what you did to catch up was a lot more dangerous…
Last time I got pulled over I was the same as you , they said they had to speed to catch me up . It was a 60 zone on a twisty country road and I was driving a Landrover, it was impossible for me to speed , I would've ended up in a field if I was speeding. I laughed at them and they breathalysed me , they were just looking for excuses to pull folk over. Never got a ticket. 🏴
Wow! Sounds like you had a good cop! We need more cops like that. I've been He seemed understanding and able to tell if you are drunk or not. I've been driving slower and worse than most old people after the interaction I've had. My mom keeps complaining that I'm driving too slow. I wish that cop was around here. I'm usually recording with a dashcam after so many lies from other drivers got me 2 tickets in the past like one guy switching lanes without looking right into the side of my car
Popeye always said 'I always respects the law'. Good advice. And what's wrong with being polite and respectful? I worked in local government for 42 years, and I never met a cop I didn't like. They have a difficult job and they put their life on the line. Great video.
I've been pulled over 3 times in the last 4-5 years, 2 for questionable yellow/red light encounters, one for a questionable stop sign. I was pleasant and respectful in each encounter. No tickets. whew. Good advice Steve.
I totally agree with you. Many Officers get shot and killed on "routine" traffic stops. They are cautious on traffic stops and appriciate the cooperation.
It's NOT about how you act... it's about age, race, appearance, and if you look poor. I do the same thing when I get pulled over, I even turn off my car and set the keys on the dash. Differences between us are age and appearance (i'm 37, I have a long beard and wear a banana), and I'm treated very differently. I've been pulled over 5 times in my life, and each time, I get asked if I have any drugs or guns, and they ask if they can search my car... I don't do drugs or drink fyi. I've been searched 5 times and got 4 tickets after the searches found nothing. Also, I've had my truck ripped apart and about 200 dollars of damage done to my truck when a rookie cop searched me. He ripped a hole in my roof liner and pulled it. He broke two of my air vents, and the ashtray holder and broke the clip on my glove box... btw he threw all my papers and contents on the floorboards, then gave me a ticket for going 6 over.
@@furyofbongos That was my question too. Most people don't know their own rights. It doesn't really matter if you consent though. They'll just bring a drug dog over and generate probable cause.
Another thing that people don't usually think of is to keep the inside of your car uncluttered. If a cop walks up and sees 10 tons of garbage and crap all inside your vehicle, he's going to go on higher alert because he can't easily dispel his feeling that there could be something dangerous inside your car. If he walks up and see's nothing but seats, floor and maybe a single bag/briefcase, he's going to be much more relaxed. And besides that, carrying around a bunch of extra weight in your car decreases your fuel economy.
Hi Steve. You are sooo right. There are a lot of things you can do to make your experience worse. I always just try to make the best of it. It really paid off once. I was living in one stat, but had a call near my parent's house in a neighboring state. The lived in a very rural area where I grew up. So I knew the roads very well. So I go a late start for my appointment and I was in a bit of a hurry (95 in a 45) when I met a trooper (on his way home after a shift) going in the other direction. When he hit his brakes, I just pulled over to the shoulder. By the time he got to me I had the license, registration, and proof of insurance ready. The window was down and my hands were at 10&2. He didn't even turn on the lights till he pulled up behind me. When he came to the to the window his first words were "Do you know how fast you were going?" I said I was not sure, but I was pretty sure he did. He asked for the items and noted I was licensed in another state. He said "Do you know that if I write you for what I registered, that they would suspend your license?" Being as respectful and polite as possible, I explained that I was late for an appointment that I would never be able to make now, and that I knew I was pretty screwed, but I would really appreciate anything he could do to help me out. He went back to the care to write me up, and I was sure I was going to get a license suspension that would cost me my job. I was shocked when he handed a me ticket for 10mph over. I can tell you I deserved a lot worse. All he said as he was leaving he said "You really need to watch your speed."
Got pulled over a few months ago for 10 over in a school zone, during a time when buses were running. I was polite and got a verbal warning. Of course, the fact that he saw I was driving right behind a school bus and so that school bus was also doing that same speed, may have something to do with it.
Steve, I totally agree with you. I am a retired Probation Officer, Prosecutor and Judge and have been asked many times by people about what to do when pulled over or otherwise confronted by a police officer. I always tell them to be polite and cooperative with the officer, even when you feel like you should not have been confronted. The reason, beyond simple logic, is that on the street, the officers have all the power. They are armed and have armed backup. They can charge you with a myriad of traffic offenses and/or crimes, whether proper or not. If an officer acts incorrectly you are still not in a good position to protect yourself on the street. If you are polite and cooperative it is very possible that you can avoid being charged with traffic or criminal offenses. If you act like a jerk, things may not go well for you, even if perfectly innocent, until you go through some very unpleasant experiences, such as being manhandled roughly, handcuffed, thrown in the back of a filthy patrol car, fingerprinted, photographed, thrown in a dirty jail cell with various creeps where you may wait for hours, days or longer, charged with crimes and dragged through court, spending a fortune to defend yourself and possibly losing. If the cop misbehaves, you make a complaint and then, depending on the circumstances, hire the biggest, ugliest attorneys and assert your rights where you have a chance to succeed.
Can confirm! Got popped for speeding, pulled over, rolled my window down and had my hands in view. When asked for my license I said "it's in the top pocket of my backpack", sitting on the passenger seat. He said "go ahead and get it", and I did, with no off movements. He told me they were performing an awareness patrol to slow traffic down on this street, slow down. I thanked him for his service and he thanked me for mine (Vet tags) and we went our separate ways.
@@michaelshrader5139 Wait a second. You think it's a good system where we have to brown nose the cops and placate their egos in order to get a warning instead of a ticket? That may be reality today, but in a perfect world respect is something you earn.
Be honest when they invite you to lie. They will often ask you a question that you could be honest about or lie when they know the answer already and it is a test to see if your other responses are likely to be lies or not.
The last time I got pulled over, about 20 years ago, I did the exact same thing. Headlight popped in the cold weather and I was speeding. Open window, hands on wheel, asked for permission to get into my pocket to get my wallet. The cop was very professional and left me off with a warning for the headlight, took no more than 5 minutes for him to write the warning. You could visibly see the stress leave his face when I asked for permission to get my wallet. Steve's advice is worth it's weight in gold.
I used to work for a cab company in Dearborn Michigan and an attorney friend and his brother used to call me for a round trip to the dope house and back . One time attorney and his brother were bickering about a bag of Heroin then the attorney rolled down the window and held the Heroin out the window teasing his brother saying I’ll let it go and his older brother screaming Ronnie please! less than 10 seconds later the police flashers came on and I got pulled over and the attorney downed the baggies of boy and girl ( street names for H and C)with a swallow of Vodka, the police officer looked in the back seat and recognized him and said have a nice day 😅! Next stop was the drug store for some syrup of Ipik ( something that makes you vomit). Got a great tip.
I really like this video, and I wish someone had told me a lot of these things 20 years ago. I've only been pulled over 3 times, and each time I'm unrealistically scared (it can be really difficult to remember anything with your heart pumping that fast). And each time, when the cop is done talking to me, he or she says, "next time, do xyz please (keep your hands on the wheel)". Sure, being polite is common sense to many, but the rest of it wasn't common sense to me. I think I know now what to do, but why wasn't this taught in my high school driver's ed?
Steve, thank you very much for this. I am late coming to this as I only came across the episode just now while looking through your video library. I worked 30+ years in a hospital ER just outside of NYC. I have dozens of police officers as friends and more as friendly acquaintances. I have medically taken care of dozens of family and friends, plus more associates, involved with MVAs. I have lost a few including my wife and infant daughter in an MVA due to an aggressive drunk driver almost four decades ago. The POs enter these situations in a very unique, cautious and guarded (emotionally, mentally, physically) manner that few non-LEOs could comprehend or appreciate. The sad things Emergency Service Personnel experience will often continue to haunt them. It still does me. I have heard time and time again how much they appreciate calmness, honesty, mutual respect, common courtesy, effort to work with them and sobriety. You are very appreciated for your efforts, knowledge and willingness to share.
@@glintinggold I personally believe through personally witnessing, the overwhelming majority of police officers of all races and both sexes, are on the side of the vast majority of people regardless of race or sex. Regarding your statement: "All it takes is for one officer's quota to need fluffing" can be dissected. 1 - The quotas come from politicians and bureaucrats, not police. They need to be held accountable. Quotas need to be illegal and those who initiate them should be charged regardless of occupation. 2 - Money collected through fines and/or civil forfeitures should go into the entire government budget, not just the police department. If a person is found innocent, they should have everything returned to them immediately with interest. 3 - "All it takes is for one officer's quota to need fluffing". It goes without saying that any Indvidual doing illegal and volent things can impact negatively/criminally a lot of people regardless of their occupation. People need to be held accountable, charged, tried and punished appropriately and without prejudice or reverse prejudice. Failure to do so can result in theft, murder. rape and violations of individual's Rights, Human and Constitutional.
Being a Ff for now 18 years I have had 1000s of run ins with every form of police. Most people seem to forget they are people to and a little bit of respect and just being a decent human to them will always go a very long way. And most police just want you to be better if pulling you over and telling you what you did will correct your behavior they will let you go like they did Steve. But if you have a bad attitude and you seem like you need a big fine to correct your behavior then that’s what you’re gonna get.
I think this video does an excellent job demonstrating the importance of recognising choices. Sure, there's plenty of reasons to tell a cop to kiss my rear, but by making the choice to say something like that, I am also accepting the consequences of being disrespectful to someone who has the power to arrest me. Stand your moral high ground if you want, but then don't complain when the cops behave exactly how you'd expect them to by handing you a bunch of tickets or putting you in cuffs.
I've subscribed to your method of conducting yourself in a traffic stop since I was a police cadet back in the late 70s. In all those years, I've received one ticket. ANY interaction with an officer has a better chance of going your way, if you just don't lead with your dick. Cops have to deal with that crap all day, every day. The rare time when someone cooperates is like a breath of fresh air to them. Thanks for making this video...hopefully it'll make a difference.
Hi Steve, I'm of the oldschool mindset I have my license, registration & insurance card in my hand, the window down & the interior lights on by the time they get to my window. It has always worked in my favor & when they ask the standard questions, I play along as best I can unless they they get ridiculous, then politely inform them that I disagree & that I'm not arguing on the side of the road & that I will take my chances with a judge based on my impeccable 46 year driving record. Cops have bad days too.
I've heard other lawyers explain how answering such questions can land you an arrest and possibly conviction for a more serious crime that happened that you had nothing to do with. The most frequent advice I hear is to respond with something like, "I don't answer questions." You might get a ticket, because ACAB, but you have no obligation, nor are you being rude by refusing to answer questions, or refusing to roll down the window more than the crack necessary to hear the cop and slide identification through.
We truly are living under the government the founders warned us about. It shouldn't be necessary to kiss someone's ass to avoid being economically terrorized for harmless behavior.
As a 25+ year retired LEO, I can guarantee that if you want to be an a$$ on the side of the road. The chances of you getting any kind of break greatly diminishes. Polite, respectful and honesty always went a long way with me. We are all human and make mistakes sometimes.
For those people that want to give cops a hard time: watch body cam videos of cops and see what they have to deal with on a daily basis. Then ask yourself how you'd end up day after day after day. Do you go in for surgery and tell the doctor that he and the hospital are ripping you off before you go under the knife? You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. You're so worried about what you can and can't do that you don't stop and think what you should or should not do. Thanks Steve, I appreciate the video.
My brother-in-law was a cop in NJ. They had a DUI program that if a cop accepted he would work after completing his shit to look for DUI. They were paid over-time pay but were only to find DUI drivers no other violation! However if they did not arrest anyone for DUI they were not paid for the time worked.
I had the same thing happened to me 1 afternoon a few years back, he asked where I was going? I put my back widow down and told him I was going to the mall to sell girl scout cookies, I have a cdl he gave me a written warning and told to slow down Thank THE Lord!
I drive a truck. In stops or inspections I am always relaxed and cooperative. Years ago I was stopped at night on the 80, the 94 or the 96. The trooper asked if I was wearing my seat belt when I passed him in the median. I smiled and admitted that actually, no, I wasn't. I expected him to urge me to buckle up and continue on. To my complete shock, he demanded $100.00 cash as sentence for my conviction! When I declined, he told me he'd keep my New York state driver's license until it was paid. Now I was really upset because I'm driving without a license. Partly because of that my next new car was a Honda made in Ohio.
I’m almost 62 and have been pulled over 4 times by cops, three city cops and one deputy sheriff. I was polite and respectful and never received a ticket.
I was pulled over by a sheriff deputy 12 years ago. I came to a stop at a stop sign and I saw the police headed my way. He had to go over 2 sets of railroad tracks that I knew were really bad and he would need to slow down for. I turned and he lit me up. When he told me why he stopped me I explained about the RR tracks. He took my license, walked halfway to his car, turned around and gave me my license back and actually apologized. Said I was right, he had to slow down and I was free to go. I am lucky I got a good cop and not a power hungry one.
I read once where it was said that many people who were drunk tended to drive slower and more carefully than normal, so driving that was is.....suspicious too.
@@WayneKeen Of course I can't say for sure, but I think you got your intoxications slightly mixed up. From what I have heard, people who are high on cannabis tend to do what you are describing. They KNOW that they are impaired, they can feel it, and they overcompensate for it, by driving VERY slowly. But they also react very slowly. People who are drunk, tend to not feel that they are impaired. In fact, they tend to feel that they are driving very well. And so they have a tendency to drive faster than normal, and also to react slowly and basically drive all over the place. But you are right. If you see a person who is driving considerably slower than normal drivers do, and seem to have very slow reactions, then quite likely he is either: 1: High on cannabis, or 2: Very tired, or 3: Very old. So that is also quite suspicious.
@@WayneKeen I know of a good highway that has a speed limit of 50 MPH. Have never heard of anyone getting pulled over for doing 55 MPH. However, I have heard of several drivers telling of doing 40 MPH to 45 MPH especially at night being pulled over and checked for drinking.
@@WayneKeenIn these cases, most often pulled over doing 45MPH in the 50 MPH limit without holding up anyone behind them. One fellow was having problems with oncoming traffic headlights blinding him.
That’s pretty ludicrous, when your level of “violation” comes down to how bad a day that cop is having. Gives me serious questions about the legitimacy of the whole process.
Experienced feelings being paid to work in jails and state penal facilities. I had two choices. My instruction or having the felon administered by the on-duty Shift Captain. Nobody was exempt from institution rules. Also did as much as a Deputy Sheriff in traffic stops , citations , and courtroom procedures. I'm retired and some people I dealt with are alive or have died in incarceration. I recommend public sector hire to halt liars.
Steve… same experience after passing the sheriff on the right at 70 in a 55 zone. Rolled the windows down, turned on the interior light. He noted this and he asked me why. Told him, so you can relax. Was on my way as soon as he checked for warrants.
Our egos and attitudes can be our worst enemy. Im always meek and kind to officers. Ive been let off with a warning twice and gotten the lesser of the infraction 3 times
@@moedark4390 no bro, its their egos and attitudes that are our worst enemy. You need to be grateful that you have been very lucky but realize you have been very lucky. I implore you to search TH-cam for "1st amendment audits" and learn from them. Our country is in a police state and We The People... are the only ones who can fix it because the government, which the police are part of, are not on our side.
I saw your other video about this subject and a few months later I got pulled over. The cop asked me why I had my hands on the steering wheel. I told him it was a courtesy so he could see my hands. His whole demeanor then changed. He smiled and said “thank you. I appreciate that”. We had a polite short conversation and I did not get a ticket.
You're absolutely right. I've done those things for years and it's always turned out good. I always wondered why you'd give a cop a hard time when he's the one with a gun, taser, pepper spray, billy club and can make one call and have five more just like him show up in a heartbeat.
@@matdddd , a victim for getting a ticket because you did something wrong which was also unlawful? How do you figure that? By breaking the law, you take a chance on making somebody else a victim from your bad driving.
One of my middle school coaches that was a former cop gave us this exact advice back in the mid 80s. Don't ask me why he was giving this advice to a bunch of 12 year olds, but I always followed it and it has served me well. I can't say that I have always gotten out of tickets, but I haven't been shot...so there's that.
Oddly enough, I remember better a lot of stuff I learned as a kid than things I learned at age 40. Someone talking to you about traffic stops and driving is kinda cool when you're 12 and may stick with you. By the time you're 16, you know it all so don't need to listen.
100% spot on advice. Any guy who thinks being nice to a cop is a threat to their manliness doesn't need to worry - it's gone already. Real men are courteous. Real men think about how their actions will affect others, etc etc.
There is being polite, which can help with most interactions with other humans and some dogs. There is also self-incrimination, which is gorram stupid. When a cop asks you, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" or other questions, DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION!
All I heard was Steve is dying & got arrested for it.
11:04 People reaching for things in cars, police misinterpret it as reaching for a gun....
I've seen videos of exactly that happening. It's even worse because the cop specifically ASKS for your license, and you are keen to do what he says.... and you get shot in the head. *ADVICE TO EVERYONE* have your documents ALREADY VISIBLE ON THE DASHBOARD so you *DON'T* have to reach anywhere. Those documents should be already there from the moment you get in your car JUST IN CASE.
And he's going to get pulled over again in 2028
*ALSO* when you stop, take your seat belt off because the cop may say "get out of the car"... so you reach for your seatbelt release.... and you get *SHOT IN THE HEAD* and the cop says, "I thought he was reaching for a weapon."
Wind your window down BEFORE the cop gets to you. If he has to tap on the window and you reach for the button/handle to lower the window, the cop will see your hand move .. *BANG* ... oh dear, I thought he was reaching for a gun. Another one bites the dust.
@@simonmultiverse6349 🤣🤣🤣
@@simonmultiverse6349 Take your seatbelt off so you can get a ticket for that, too. There, fixed it fo you.
I used to have a job as a bartender and would get out around 4 a.m. and drove an old jeep wrangler at the time. An average of 3 times a month I was getting pulled over for about 4 months in a row. This was before they could pull you over for anything in Michigan and they would use a made up reason like a taillight out that was mysteriously back on or swerving. Around half of the time they would want me to submit to roadside tests or following light with my eyes and I felt a duty to comply even though I was always completely sober. Then I got sick of it one night and used creative language to tell them how I felt and called them liars, and followed it up with a complaint. Was only pulled over one more time in the next couple months and repeated telling them how i felt along with another complaint and they completely stopped. So I agree for the most part, but there is a line and changed tactics when I felt the line was breached. One of the times they gave me a ticket for speeding for 85 in a 70 using "pacing" to determine my speed and I went to court and told the judge that my vehicle couldn't reach those speeds along with a video showing me topping out at 76 on the expressway with the pedal floored and she dressed the officer down.
What kind of car?
Only vehicle I’ve driven with that little power was a Suzuki samurai that barely got over 70mph lol.
Officers need to be sanctioned for lying…which is also falsifying paperwork and lying under oath….
@@syndicatex8902 I was curious too. She mentioned a Wrangler though, so that's probably it. I owned a 4cyl wrangler and I don't remember ever taking it over 70mph so it probably jives.
Congratulations!
Justin , you should upload that "video showing me topping out at 76 on the expressway with the pedal floored" and tell us here how to find it on TH-cam.
Being pulled over by a cop is exactly like having a conversation with an abusive parent. It somehow becomes your job to manage their emotions or you will suffer great repercussions.
And 'tell it to the judge' becomes 'wait until your mother/father gets home'. In either case, cue Law and Order dun-dun sound.
Well stated
All bureaucrats with power bring this energy. Great simile.
Exactly!!
Fair? No. Reality? Yes. Take your pick. I choose reality, like Steve did.
Kinda disappointed you waited an entire 30 minutes to tell us… 😂😂
Yes, he should have started a livestream right in the car, and have the officer say hello 😂
@@prunabluepepper stick a camera in the Cops face like DDE and argue with him
I bet Steve (who's a lawyer) and most 🐑 🐑 still believe that 🐑 🐕 🐕 are there to "serve and protect" them from harm.. 💯💯😂😂
Yeah.... why weren't you like Live-Streaming last night Steve????? What are you trying to hide??? :-p
We wouldn't want him to speed back to Lehto central and get a ticket.......
Simple courtesy that I would give to any stranger when given to a police officer will go miles and miles toward working toward a good outcome to an encounter. I have had way too many encounters with traffic officers in my many years. Quite a few have resulted in no issues simply because I am almost always polite, kind, and safety conscious. I just wish to reinforce your words of wisdom, and to thank you for your fantastic coverage on TH-cam.
About 30 years ago I was pulled over for speeding on a highway in city next to where I lived. After I had handed over my license and registration, the trooper asked me if I knew [name]. I said yes and that he was my father. I asked him how he knew my father. He said that my dad was suing him (he was a lawyer and was representing a client who was suing the trooper for some civil rights violation). The trooper was actually very nice and let me go with a warning.
LOL, I had that happen to me only it was an ex room mate they were looking for. That cop was one of the guys that came to my house to arrest him and drag him off a couple years prior. I had a very distinctive car and he recognized it from the bust and pulled me just to see if I was him. He asked me where he was and I told him in your own county jail (he had gotten locked up again after getting out from the last arrest). He laughed, gave me my license back and let me go
Holy shit!
The warning was probably to avoid any perception of harassment against a lawyer involved in a case against him.
Wow!!
@@Blackferret66You are probably right! 😮
I forwarded this video to my daughter. I have told your story to her many times. The last time she was pulled over she followed your advice, and the same result occurred. No ticket.
For entirely different reasons, tho...
I just want to add that I also have experienced anecdotal evidence.
(Juuust a joke, not making a point for or against anything.)
Really depends on the officer. I've been pulled over 3 times. 2 times, the officers were friendly but fair. The other time, the officer had a bad attitude before I could say anything, and that was 6 over.
@@Refort610 In Raleigh NC, a Judge threatened to cite a cop for contempt of court for bringing him a 5 over defendant. I think you might be in the wrong state. In NC, 9-10 over is where the draw the line.
My wife and all her sisters have never received a ticket. I have never not received a ticket.
Edit: I did get illegally pulled over after the dealership i bought my car from taped the temporary tag in the rear windshield. The cop let me go after asking for my ID and then saying, "a lot of people steal cars and do that."
I concur. Story #1 My recent trip to Missouri I got pulled over just before crossing state line. I did everything you mentioned and things went easy peasy. He had clocked me at h90 in a 65. He ran my license and came back a told me I was free to go. My ticket would of been probably $400 and Discretionary impound and/or jail.
Story #2. I was headed to my brothers house on my motorcycle for a nieces birthday party. I hopped on the interstate for a short 3-4 mile trip to the needed exit. When I entered the interstate I hit the gas a zoomed up to 150+ for a few seconds (Italian tuneup). Hitting the exit I noticed a trooper on my six with lights on. I immediately stopped and was awaiting my fate. He was so appreciative that I stopped that he looked at my paperwork and let me go with a “your old enough to know better than speeding like that.” Yes sir you are correct sir. Thank you Sir.
Great video Steve. It’s what I always try to tell people, it’s always about perception. The next level or topic of conversation should be about drivers who actively monitor all traffic laws and still get pulled over.
As a young and dumb man I was under the impression (in my own mind) that I owned the roads. I was a frequent "customer" of the local courts and as such had frequent interactions with various law enforcement. In those interactions I've been told by several LEOS that in most cases, the officer has already determined whether they are giving you a ticket before they step out of their vehicle. Many LEOs have also stated to me that you can talk yourself into a ticket but not out of one. You nailed it on the head when you said the officer was only looking for drivers under the influence and that's why he let you go. I'm glad you had a reasonably positive interaction and I'm not one to judge your choice of conduct during the traffic stop. I watch a lot of videos on the topic of "auditing" police interactions and enjoy the topic being discussed. I'll look forward to your next video about being pulled over in 2028 since you seem to have a 6 year grace period between traffic stops
I got my 1st mechanic job in 1984 and I've owned over 40 used cars. I've been through almost every situation with them. fortunately I never killed or injured anyone with my past driving antics. 🙄🏁
Exactly; be polite and don't change the officer's mind from giving you a talking to into giving you a ticket.
Before I retired from 50 years in the grocery business, all these holidays were terribly busy in the stores, and on the way home we had to avoid those that were intoxicated and were inclined to play bumper cars. I am retired now, ain't no way I am going to any store. I will buy holiday stuff and meal fixings in July if I have to. All of you be safe this season.
used to do overtime at night for the state. VSP that hung out at the crash house: after 3 pm, 1 in 5 may be drunk; after 10 pm, 1 in 3; after 1 am 2 our of 3. more so on weekends. one night at 2 am i was extra alert. out of about 6 other vehicles on the road i think the PA Oil tanker was the only sober driver (and i wasn't real sure about him). chilling to think that if you're at a red light in traffic with about 30 other stopped cars, as many as 6 of them may have drunks driving them.
Your comment on drinking during the holidays reminded me of why my brother (former police) says they get so many domestic calls over the holidays: 1) People get together, haven't seen each other in a year or more. 2) To loosen up and make things more bearable, they drink a beer or two. 3) After the third or fourth, they remember *_why_* they haven't seen each other in a year or more.
It's funny how ambulance calls follow that basic rule. Just because they're family, doesn't mean they're necessarily going to be nice to the patient, or me. Rather more than likely family just complicates the scene.
And then they are told not to drive so they have to stay there and drink more.
ROFL
I think that's a part of it. People also stress at this time of time of year because it brings home loneliness, dysfunctional families, relationship breakdowns etc. That leads to substance abuse and depression. A dangerous mix.
Yeah, that is why I DON'T drink when visiting relatives I haven't seen in a while. :)
As a retired law enforcement officer I can’t tell you enough how much your tips mean to me! I know 90% of my stops did not result in criminality being found. But I also know that the one time I let my guard down, my baby girl may never see me again.
I like to put it like this: imagine your job was to encounter people during their most humiliating and their best “not citizen award of the year” day. After awhile it’s hard not to get hardened. And depending on where you work and when, scared.
If I approach a vehicle and the dome light is on, the people in the vehicle are listening and responding to questions made my life so much easier…
It’s not a power play for most LEOs. It’s just a “I wanna go home at the end of my shift” thing…
Bet you also prefer being judged by 12 strangers than carried by 6 friends right?
for the most part, police are honorable people trying to keep our streets safe. I can see the unpredictability of people, and I've seen the videos where people just got ape shit crazy and get violent. why make their jobs harder? just be reasonable and polite
I remember the last time you talked about this. Not more than 4 days later I was on a business trip driving to an area that I had never been through and while trying to find the right road at dusk, I missed the reduced speed limit and was pulled over. It was in a very isolated area and I remembered your suggestions and followed them exactly. I also found that everything changed when I asked him if I could reach for my wallet in my back pocket. The interaction became friendly and he listened to my excuse and I was sent on my way with a warning to slow down. I certainly did not feel like I was kowtowing to the policeman in any way - he had a difficult/dangerous plus essential job as it was and I actually felt good that I did not make it any more difficult for him - not getting a ticket made me feel even better
How do you file a complaint I’d like to do that
@@HammerHeadzzz that all depends. Your going to need to do the legwork yourself.
Exactly correct! When I took driver's training back when we drove dinosaurs (standard transmission), I was taught to be polite, say you're sorry, and promise not to do it again. I have been pulled over and that doesn't always get you out of a ticket, but I'm positive it got me a verbal warning instead of a "10 over". I also have a plate with the veteran's designation and my driver's license says the same thing. I've seen the policeman's face light up and smile when asking me about my service job and what it meant to me.
Good advice, Steve, those who wish to ignore are missing the boat on this one.
Never admit guilt( say sorry only if you’re a Canadian , we actually have established legally that an apology is not admission of guilt don’t think that’s true many other places) , still be polite and courteous
THIS IS EXCELLENT, A LITTLE RESPECT GOES LONG WAY!!!! Both parties.
For the most part, I’ve always had the license, registration, and insurance card ready in my hand when they got up to the window.
Helps a lot, I can tell you.
The very last time that I got pulled over was in a big dump truck.
One of my mirrors hit a branch on the way out of a quarry, and I didn’t notice until I was going down the road.
I turned off the main road, and pulled over onto a wider part of the shoulder, well off the road.
I didn’t realize that the trooper was back there until I clambered my way out of the cab.
I’m getting a bit old, and I have to “unfold” myself whenever I get out of a cramped vehicle.
I headed back to go around the truck, and here is a squad, and a portable scale car behind him!
He said”I didn’t even turn my light on!”
I said, “I didn’t even know you were back there!”
I explained that my right-hand mirror was knocked out of line, and I needed to fix it.
He asked what I was hauling, and I told him, and that because it was an “in-house” job, a light load, nowhere near capacity.
Got him the scale ticket, registration, insurance and my CDL.
He hobnobbed with the scale guy, and as I got done adjusting my mirror, he asked if I was up for an inspection.
I said, “sure, but it was inspected about a month ago, and we take care of this old girl.”
Bear in mind, this was a 1978 Mack truck.
The wheels and tires were all good, all the lights worked, and the cab was clean, no garbage.
The scale guy shook his head, and the trooper gave me back all the documentation, and sent me on my way.
I guess he didn’t want to waste time on someone that obviously took good care of the vehicle!
Who gave power and 💵 to the 🐑 🐕 🐕?? 😂😂
yeah reaching for anything including those documents before being confronted by the LEO has had a loaded cocked pistol aimed at my head quite a few times. The only things I reach slowly for is the interior light first then the window control then both hands in full view. BTW I typically have a firearm in the vehicle or on my person. Have not had a firearm aimed at me since adopting that policy. LEOs have an extremely difficult job and I don't want to make it harder unnecessarily and I don't want to get shot/killed over a traffic stop because of my actions and perhaps the officer having a tough day. You never know how their last stop went of if they just found out that their wife is cheating on them.
But as Steve says: you do you... you will be the one dealing with the consequences of your choices. That's your right no matter the outcome.
They discourage getting all that stuff out while slowing or before the cop gets to the window. If you do it while pulling over you might veer. If you do it whoie the cop is still back there he now has to worry about what you're reaching for.
Just put your hands on the wheel and do as Steve did. But I guess if you have all that stuff in your visoror a big rig container is blocking read view go ahead and be prepared.
But in a car? Do as Steve did.
The problem with pulling your wallet out before they get there is 1. you probably won't have your seat belt on when they get to your window, and 2. if they can see you moving around it makes them nervous and then more inclined to want to search your vehicle.
having my keys, drivers license and insurance/registration on the dashboard saved my life. i got pulled over one time, driving down a street with stop signs on every block, so clearly not speeding
I turned on the dome light and rolled down the windows and had my hands on the driving wheel, and the cops came up screaming, put a gun to my head, one on the other side put a gun to my date's head, screaming "GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING KEYS!!!" and I reached to the dashboard and handed them over. Then he yells "GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING WALLET!" and I handed that over.
He takes the keys and wallet and walks back to his car and another cop comes up and puts a gun to my head. I'm looking at my date and trying to keep her calm. At one point they threatened to paint the windshield with my brains if I moved
A couple of minutes later, the first cop comes back, chucks my wallet and keys on my lap and says we can go. My car "matched the description" of one they were looking for.
They were so worked up. My preparation kept me alive in a scenario when they were straight up ready to murder me. But I survived
Get your stuff on the dashboard in advance, it could save your life
So let me get this straight. Being considerate and respectful resulted in a good outcome? Shocking! Strange times we live in. Keep up the good work and have a great weekend.
From my experience....being awkward AF also helps lmao. I be getting pulled over left and right with no insurance and expired registration and be let go with just a warming 😅
@@luisgutierrez8047 You are why MY insurance is so high. Thanks pal.
Crazy I know!! He didn't mention this but this tactic applies to pretty much everything from customer service agents to cops! If you're nice, understanding and considerate, people will usually do everything they can to help you out. Heck I've worked as a store manager and that was true with me when people came in w expired coupons or returns without a receipt
Respect is earned. Not freely given based on a job choice, or a tin badge
@@hisdivineshadow8263 Eventually, that will hash itself out, but you're starting with an unknown empty slate. Showing respect earns respect. Hostility invites hostility. Are you going to act like a jerk until the cop "earns" your respect? Let me know how that works out for you.
They are in the position of power in any traffic stop. Even if they're wrong. Especially if they don't have body cams. Take your chances if you want to, but extending an olive branch at the beginning and showing respect for the POSITION, not the individual, is way more likely to be an on-ramp to a good experience, while a hostile attitude will likely be responded to in kind as well. In recent years, we have lost a big chunk of our civility toward one another. There are horrible cops out there. A good way to make them the even worse is to initially display a bad or combative attitude.
This applies pretty much universally. Always put yourself in the shoes of the other. Don't shoot the messenger. For instance, it's not the customer service rep who made your product defective. What possible good could come from being an a-hole to them?
Being respectful and nice will almost always yield a better outcome. You can still play hardball while being respectful.
I totally agree with how you handled the stop. There is nothing wrong with being initially polite and cooperative, because that can change if the officer escalates unnecessarily. I do want to know, however, if this was "that" officer who was bent on getting his felony stop for the month checked off and asked if you mind if he searched your vehicle, what would you have done?
I don't think that's nessary
Excellent question!
saying where you came from when you don't need to, if you want, is not that big a deal, agreeing to a search is bonkers. You don't have to be rude about it though. "With all due respect, I think that is overly invasive and unnecessary here"
The last time I had an interaction with the police at the side of the road I was already at the side of the road. A State Trooper pulled up behind us just to see if we were OK. Being on a desert not far from Death Valley, we appreciated his presence.
We need more officers like that state trooper, actually making sure people are okay. I hope you thanked him for his concern.
I had that happen years ago in California. We had already called AAA and we were on the shoulder. The Highway Patrol officer told me that checking on stranded motorists was part of his job. Another time my vehicle died on the freeway near San Francisco and I was in a tiny space in front of a bridge abutment. CHP showed up almost immediately, pulled in behind me with lights on and stayed until I got a tow. I always had good luck with them.
I had that happen years ago in California. We had already called AAA and we were on the shoulder. The Highway Patrol officer told me that checking on stranded motorists was part of his job. Another time my vehicle died on the freeway near San Francisco and I was in a tiny space in front of a bridge abutment. CHP showed up almost immediately, pulled in behind me with lights on and stayed until I got a tow. I always had good luck with them.
@@angelachouinard4581 Wow, I’m in California and have had no such luck, not even stranded at night in the pouring rain with my hazards on, just drove right past.
@@strawpiglet Have to admit it was decades ago. So I guess another service has gone downhill. That they just drove by really sucks. Guess it's good I left California.
This is an excellent video, great points Steve. Everyone is human and we all make an occasional mistake. Not all cops have bad attitudes or behave in an unprofessional manner.
Even 1 is too many, though. Just saying.
My dad was a city cop, rhey are just trying to not have a bad day or worse, get dead. You are spot on with how to handle that transaction lololoolol Take care and Thx for sharing from Wyoming
Yes I know this was a year ago :-) Still good advice....
I saw the weirdest thing in traffic court a few years ago. I was in to contest a speeding ticket, and the guy in front of me was looking for a reduction in his fine for something. The judge asked him why he should reduce the fine. I was expecting the usual; "Money is tight", "I got laid off" etc. Nope. The guy says "Because of this" and starts dancing like the gopher from Caddyshack. The judge laughed and dismissed the ticket.
I got up there and said... "Sorry, I can't top that." He said "Fair enough, $25 at the window and you're good to go". Considering it was a $90 ticket, plus mandatory fees and surcharges (likely over $300 when all was said and done... they can be real a-holes with some of those fees in NY), I got a hell of a deal just piggy-backing off of some crazy guy dancing in court, lol.
Guess the judge was in a very good mood that day. Even having seen that tactic work, I don't think I'd have the balls to try it myself, lol. But thanks crazy dancing guy!
The safety advice most lawyers give you for dealing with police is to [better] protect you vs bad cops, not the good ones like this incident. Be polite - yes, but do not answer any questions, no matter how inconsequential they may be. The #1 rule is, STFU.
Best advice I heard from a friend... "smart people don't get mad at their money"
Interesting, as always. Never misses a chance to make a short story long! Repeated the story 3 times.
It was good to hear this perspective. Thank you
I’m hard wired to follow traffic laws because of decades of clients in my car. I have two little foster children that I transport daily. I carry concealed. I’m polite. I’m not going to escalate a cop while I’m carrying, but I’ve been stopped twice in the past eight years for speeding with only a license requested: no speeding tickets, ever. I never even disclosed the pistol or produced my CCW. I was never asked.
All that being said, I did pretty much exactly as you described I was taught that in drivers Ed in 1976.
My experience is pretty similar. In the last 20 years I have probably been pulled over 3 or 4 times, and only gotten a ticket once. One or two of them I was on my way home from a bar after a few drinks. The one time I did actually get a ticket was for a simple right on red I made on my way home from work after my company moved to a new location and I was quite familiar with the route home from there, having driven that road many times in earlier years. With that familiarity I was basically driving on auto pilot while still thinking about work, so I did not even realize that they had put up a no right turn on red sign at the intersection, so I legit had no idea why the cop pulled me over. I didn't even realize that I had made a right on red, which is why when he asked, I said I thought the light was green, and that was probably why he gave me the ticket instead of letting me go.
I get pulled over every 5 or 6 years (usually for speeding). The last time I actually got a ticket was in 2004. I'm always polite & courteous. I try and stay calm. I keep my hands where they can be seen. I may not ask permission, but I always say what I'm going to do ("My wallets in my back pocket. My license is in it."). Don't be in a hurried. What you want is to keep the temperature down. It's an unwanted interaction, but it doesn't need to devolve into a confrontation, one you are bound to lose.
Great video Steve! The part about putting hands on the wheel and turning the dome light on at night was especially helpful. In my 51 years of driving, I have been let off more often than written up by being cooperative rather than confrontational. I noticed you advised to ask permission to reach in your wallet for your license, RATHER THAN have your license in your hand already when the officer comes to your window. Would I be correct in guessing that if they see you reaching for anything, before, or while approaching your car, that could potentially lead to disaster?
Don't make the cop wonder what you are doing. Reaching for something is a bad idea.
@@SoloPilot6exactly. I turn my truck off, roll my window down, and hang my hands out of the window, over the window seal so there's no question what I'm doing. And they stay there the entire time until the officer asks for ID & insurance.
I have been stopped and let go with no ticket, at least 8 to ten times, from when I started driving at 16 (1962) until about 5 or 6 years ago. I did the exact same thing you did, Steve. Doesn't cost a dime to be polite, even if the cop is a jerk.. Learned a long time ago that if you lose your temper, you'll lose.
Everything you stated here I am in 100% agreement with. I’ve only been stopped a few times even after 30+ years driving a service van 5 days a week, and many many miles in my personal vehicles.
LMAO!!!! "Is my carpool fee going to go up" You are right, they are on edge, especially in today's world. What you did is exactly what a person should do. I got pulled over once with my dog, I had a piece of pizza in my hand when he came to the window. I had a big dog that was gentle as a Lamb.
But anyway, he asked for my DL. I set the Pizza on the seat, and fido lapped it up in 2 seconds. The officer laughed his ass off and said" slow down.
and have a nice day" I could see him shaking his head as he went back to his patrol car. It was a Good Day!!
_"Good night, office-"_
_"Hold up! I've been watching your show for years, Mr. Lehto! Do not try any of your little tricks on me!"_
Thanks, I agree with everything you said and have had the same outcome. I also remain chill until its time to exercise my rights. Then “I don’t answer questions” !
Couldn't agree with you more. I'm 60 years old and have been pulled over 22 times in my life and got 5 tickets out of it (2 of those dismissed in court) Treat the officers with respect and they will treat you a LOT better!
Cooperation is the key as you stated. I was a SPO for about 9 years and ended up switching careers to become a career firefighter/EMT. I continued part time as a SPO. I was permitted to only carry my duty firearm to and from my SPO employment. I had only been pulled over a few times as I had often driven different "toys", (historic tagged pickups or muscles cars). Your actions and mannerisms go a long way. Window down, engine off, flashers on, hands out the window, VERY important when carrying!!, eye contact, politeness, and more, is not kissing ass or giving in. I only presented my credentials when I had permission. The officer/deputy is in charge of the stop and calls the shots for their safety and yours. Sorry about the pun. A few years ago I was pulled over in my 1959 F100 for a flickering tail lamp. After the business chat, the deputy spent more time looking at my truck and asking about repairs and modifications. Turns out that he was a gearhead and had a couple of his own projects. We are still friends to this day.
My last time I was pulled over by an officer was 9 years ago (time before that was in 1973). That last stop I also pulled over in a place safe for both of us, dropped the driver's side window, and waited.
His first words were "Do you know why I stopped you?" My answer was a polite "No, sir."
He then told me I hadn't yielded to him when his lane ended. (Quick background: Two traffic lanes in my direction of travel, half mile of signs saying right lane ends, arrows in right lane showing merge. Me in continuing lane, officer in ending lane, adjacent to me.)
He asked for driver's license, registration, and insurance, I provided concealed pistol license, driver's license, registration, and insurance. (There is no requirement in my state to inform an officer of the presence of firearms.)
He said he was going to give me a ticket for failure to yield. I said my dashcam would show something different in court (pointed at camera).
He then asked if there was anything in the car that he should be aware of and I responded "pistol, condition one."
He backed up looking like he was going to pee his pants, and started twitching toward his gun.
(I was probably legally carrying when he was still pooping in his diapers.)
Took me four times telling him to look at my CPL in his hand before he understood what I was saying and looked at the CPL on the top of the stack.
At that point he handed my papers back, said have a nice day, went back to his patrol car, and drove away.
I honestly don't know how to rate that stop.
Other than your great sense of humor, I love your honesty. It’s so refreshing. Thanks!
Steve the rebel, speeding down the highway. 😂
This is true good advice When I was 20 I was taking a Date home when I was speeding a little over the limit, I was pulled over by a State Trooper I Did just what you advised even had my date put her hands on the top of the dash board as he walked up. I drove away with a warning I Do not remember how long he held us up but it was a very short time.
Hundo, unfolded, behind the "Today Will Be Awesome" plaque, at the center of the top of the main cabinet. 47.
47?
Attitude is everything. Being polite and respectful is free, it doesn't cost you anything. As a former cop I can't tell you how much that means to a police officer on the side of the road. You are correct Sir. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
A cops first reaction upon not seeing someones hands shouldnt be murder.
@@ericlaska4748 Every cop treats every citizen like either a potential murd erer or an ATM.
@@guillermoelnino But, it might be self preservation.
As a person, if someone treats me like shit, they will get treated like shit. Same with a cop.
I watch some of these Auditors, and man, the majority of them deserve to be thrown in jail and the key tossed.
Great video Steve. I got pulled over a couple years ago on the way to pick up my daughter from a friend's house. I was speeding a bit on a very long, very straight , well travelled country road and realized it when I saw the cop car lights go on behind me and looked at the speedometer. A Bay County deputy came to my window and told me I was speeding and he asked me if I knew how fast I was going. I was very polite and admitted that I did, but didn't realize my speed until I saw him turn on his lights. I was honest and told him I was just going to get my daughter and was listening to the Red Wings game on the radio and didn't realize the speed I was travelling. The cop was very good about it. Told me to slow down and gave me a warning. Hey, I was guilty and he was just doing his job. He could of given me a ticket. I was going 12 mph over. He had me. I think he appreciated that I admitted it, was polite, and was cooperative. Saved me money and points and it took no effort on my part to behave that way. I appreciate the deputy exercising discretion in my case.
I absolutely agree that you have to be careful with the officer, hands on wheel or reaching for the wallet. The cops have legit concerns for dangers. I also believe that you have to protect your rights, ie. not answering questions. You can do that politely.
Steve I absolutely agree with you,I most definitely do the same thing it's respect.100%🎯👍
All great advice. Thank you, Steve! I would be worried about a seat belt ticket removing the belt early, though.
I've gotten out of numerous tickets over the years by behaving in the same manner. It is so worth it. Manners and mutual respect go a long way.
Weirdly symmetrical story I've got for you: when I was a bit younger, I was also pulled over for going 62 in a 45 -- my cop came up with 62 because that's the speed he had to go to catch up with me. In reality, I went up to 50 and he didn't appreciate the speed with which I did it and just wanted to chew me out. Wouldn't say I was as polite as I should have been (I was incredulous at the allegation that I was going 62), but I kept everything visible, had my stuff ready on my dash, had dome light on, etc. No ticket was issued.
I once had a cop claim I had to be doing 50 in a 30 because he had to do 60 to catch up to me once we got to a straight section of road. I guess if he'd gone 75 to catch up sooner he'd have though I'd been doing 60.
I was ready to back out of the driveway at night and he was still 100 yards down the road. I figured I had plenty of time so I backed out, then headed up the curvy, residential road the way I usually did when I was 17. I told him there was no way I'd been doing 50, but after awhile figured I was better off not arguing. He didn't give me a ticket, and the next day I checked to see if there was any chance I really was doing 50. I decided there's no way I got above 45, and was probably doing a hair over 40.
Sometimes these guys must be physics savants when they come up stuff like that. I’ve had one scream at me that he had to go 130 mph to catch up to me and how fast I must have been going… idunno man prob like 75 mph along with the rest of traffic, I had a huge head start ya dummy, sounds like what you did to catch up was a lot more dangerous…
Last time I got pulled over I was the same as you , they said they had to speed to catch me up .
It was a 60 zone on a twisty country road and I was driving a Landrover, it was impossible for me to speed , I would've ended up in a field if I was speeding.
I laughed at them and they breathalysed me , they were just looking for excuses to pull folk over.
Never got a ticket. 🏴
@@hammyh1165 60 on a twisty road in a Land Rover (not a Disco or Freelander)?
That's what I call having a death wish.🙃😉😁
@@GARDENER42 yup 1988 90 would have died at 60 on that road 😂
Wow! Sounds like you had a good cop! We need more cops like that. I've been He seemed understanding and able to tell if you are drunk or not. I've been driving slower and worse than most old people after the interaction I've had. My mom keeps complaining that I'm driving too slow. I wish that cop was around here. I'm usually recording with a dashcam after so many lies from other drivers got me 2 tickets in the past like one guy switching lanes without looking right into the side of my car
Popeye always said 'I always respects the law'. Good advice. And what's wrong with being polite and respectful? I worked in local government for 42 years, and I never met a cop I didn't like. They have a difficult job and they put their life on the line. Great video.
I've been pulled over 3 times in the last 4-5 years, 2 for questionable yellow/red light encounters, one for a questionable stop sign. I was pleasant and respectful in each encounter. No tickets. whew. Good advice Steve.
I totally agree with you. Many Officers get shot and killed on "routine" traffic stops. They are cautious on traffic stops and appriciate the cooperation.
It's NOT about how you act... it's about age, race, appearance, and if you look poor.
I do the same thing when I get pulled over, I even turn off my car and set the keys on the dash. Differences between us are age and appearance (i'm 37, I have a long beard and wear a banana), and I'm treated very differently.
I've been pulled over 5 times in my life, and each time, I get asked if I have any drugs or guns, and they ask if they can search my car... I don't do drugs or drink fyi.
I've been searched 5 times and got 4 tickets after the searches found nothing. Also, I've had my truck ripped apart and about 200 dollars of damage done to my truck when a rookie cop searched me. He ripped a hole in my roof liner and pulled it. He broke two of my air vents, and the ashtray holder and broke the clip on my glove box... btw he threw all my papers and contents on the floorboards, then gave me a ticket for going 6 over.
@@furyofbongos That was my question too. Most people don't know their own rights. It doesn't really matter if you consent though. They'll just bring a drug dog over and generate probable cause.
Another thing that people don't usually think of is to keep the inside of your car uncluttered. If a cop walks up and sees 10 tons of garbage and crap all inside your vehicle, he's going to go on higher alert because he can't easily dispel his feeling that there could be something dangerous inside your car. If he walks up and see's nothing but seats, floor and maybe a single bag/briefcase, he's going to be much more relaxed.
And besides that, carrying around a bunch of extra weight in your car decreases your fuel economy.
Hi Steve. You are sooo right. There are a lot of things you can do to make your experience worse. I always just try to make the best of it. It really paid off once. I was living in one stat, but had a call near my parent's house in a neighboring state. The lived in a very rural area where I grew up. So I knew the roads very well. So I go a late start for my appointment and I was in a bit of a hurry (95 in a 45) when I met a trooper (on his way home after a shift) going in the other direction. When he hit his brakes, I just pulled over to the shoulder. By the time he got to me I had the license, registration, and proof of insurance ready. The window was down and my hands were at 10&2. He didn't even turn on the lights till he pulled up behind me. When he came to the to the window his first words were "Do you know how fast you were going?" I said I was not sure, but I was pretty sure he did. He asked for the items and noted I was licensed in another state. He said "Do you know that if I write you for what I registered, that they would suspend your license?" Being as respectful and polite as possible, I explained that I was late for an appointment that I would never be able to make now, and that I knew I was pretty screwed, but I would really appreciate anything he could do to help me out. He went back to the care to write me up, and I was sure I was going to get a license suspension that would cost me my job. I was shocked when he handed a me ticket for 10mph over. I can tell you I deserved a lot worse. All he said as he was leaving he said "You really need to watch your speed."
Loved this video for so many reasons. Thanks Steve.
Got pulled over a few months ago for 10 over in a school zone, during a time when buses were running. I was polite and got a verbal warning. Of course, the fact that he saw I was driving right behind a school bus and so that school bus was also doing that same speed, may have something to do with it.
Steve, I totally agree with you. I am a retired Probation Officer, Prosecutor and Judge and have been asked many times by people about what to do when pulled over or otherwise confronted by a police officer. I always tell them to be polite and cooperative with the officer, even when you feel like you should not have been confronted. The reason, beyond simple logic, is that on the street, the officers have all the power. They are armed and have armed backup. They can charge you with a myriad of traffic offenses and/or crimes, whether proper or not. If an officer acts incorrectly you are still not in a good position to protect yourself on the street. If you are polite and cooperative it is very possible that you can avoid being charged with traffic or criminal offenses. If you act like a jerk, things may not go well for you, even if perfectly innocent, until you go through some very unpleasant experiences, such as being manhandled roughly, handcuffed, thrown in the back of a filthy patrol car, fingerprinted, photographed, thrown in a dirty jail cell with various creeps where you may wait for hours, days or longer, charged with crimes and dragged through court, spending a fortune to defend yourself and possibly losing. If the cop misbehaves, you make a complaint and then, depending on the circumstances, hire the biggest, ugliest attorneys and assert your rights where you have a chance to succeed.
Can confirm! Got popped for speeding, pulled over, rolled my window down and had my hands in view. When asked for my license I said "it's in the top pocket of my backpack", sitting on the passenger seat. He said "go ahead and get it", and I did, with no off movements. He told me they were performing an awareness patrol to slow traffic down on this street, slow down. I thanked him for his service and he thanked me for mine (Vet tags) and we went our separate ways.
That's the way it's supposed to work. But too often it doesn't, and there'in lies the problem.
Today is Thanksgiving. I thank you for your service too. Happy Thanksgiving!
@@michaelshrader5139 Wait a second. You think it's a good system where we have to brown nose the cops and placate their egos in order to get a warning instead of a ticket? That may be reality today, but in a perfect world respect is something you earn.
Ben is on the side of the 71 Daytona car
Be honest when they invite you to lie. They will often ask you a question that you could be honest about or lie when they know the answer already and it is a test to see if your other responses are likely to be lies or not.
The last time I got pulled over, about 20 years ago, I did the exact same thing. Headlight popped in the cold weather and I was speeding. Open window, hands on wheel, asked for permission to get into my pocket to get my wallet. The cop was very professional and left me off with a warning for the headlight, took no more than 5 minutes for him to write the warning. You could visibly see the stress leave his face when I asked for permission to get my wallet. Steve's advice is worth it's weight in gold.
I used to work for a cab company in Dearborn Michigan and an attorney friend and his brother used to call me for a round trip to the dope house and back . One time attorney and his brother were bickering about a bag of Heroin then the attorney rolled down the window and held the Heroin out the window teasing his brother saying I’ll let it go and his older brother screaming Ronnie please! less than 10 seconds later the police flashers came on and I got pulled over and the attorney downed the baggies of boy and girl ( street names for H and C)with a swallow of Vodka, the police officer looked in the back seat and recognized him and said have a nice day 😅! Next stop was the drug store for some syrup of Ipik ( something that makes you vomit). Got a great tip.
I really like this video, and I wish someone had told me a lot of these things 20 years ago. I've only been pulled over 3 times, and each time I'm unrealistically scared (it can be really difficult to remember anything with your heart pumping that fast). And each time, when the cop is done talking to me, he or she says, "next time, do xyz please (keep your hands on the wheel)". Sure, being polite is common sense to many, but the rest of it wasn't common sense to me. I think I know now what to do, but why wasn't this taught in my high school driver's ed?
Like most things in life, not fair but true and useful to know.
Steve, thank you very much for this. I am late coming to this as I only came across the episode just now while looking through your video library. I worked 30+ years in a hospital ER just outside of NYC. I have dozens of police officers as friends and more as friendly acquaintances. I have medically taken care of dozens of family and friends, plus more associates, involved with MVAs. I have lost a few including my wife and infant daughter in an MVA due to an aggressive drunk driver almost four decades ago. The POs enter these situations in a very unique, cautious and guarded (emotionally, mentally, physically) manner that few non-LEOs could comprehend or appreciate. The sad things Emergency Service Personnel experience will often continue to haunt them. It still does me.
I have heard time and time again how much they appreciate calmness, honesty, mutual respect, common courtesy, effort to work with them and sobriety.
You are very appreciated for your efforts, knowledge and willingness to share.
So what about us who don't have the cops on their side? All it takes is for one officer's quota to need fluffing.
@@glintinggold I personally believe through personally witnessing, the overwhelming majority of police officers of all races and both sexes, are on the side of the vast majority of people regardless of race or sex. Regarding your statement: "All it takes is for one officer's quota to need fluffing" can be dissected.
1 - The quotas come from politicians and bureaucrats, not police. They need to be held accountable. Quotas need to be illegal and those who initiate them should be charged regardless of occupation.
2 - Money collected through fines and/or civil forfeitures should go into the entire government budget, not just the police department. If a person is found innocent, they should have everything returned to them immediately with interest.
3 - "All it takes is for one officer's quota to need fluffing". It goes without saying that any Indvidual doing illegal and volent things can impact negatively/criminally a lot of people regardless of their occupation. People need to be held accountable, charged, tried and punished appropriately and without prejudice or reverse prejudice. Failure to do so can result in theft, murder. rape and violations of individual's Rights, Human and Constitutional.
Being a Ff for now 18 years I have had 1000s of run ins with every form of police. Most people seem to forget they are people to and a little bit of respect and just being a decent human to them will always go a very long way. And most police just want you to be better if pulling you over and telling you what you did will correct your behavior they will let you go like they did Steve. But if you have a bad attitude and you seem like you need a big fine to correct your behavior then that’s what you’re gonna get.
I think this video does an excellent job demonstrating the importance of recognising choices. Sure, there's plenty of reasons to tell a cop to kiss my rear, but by making the choice to say something like that, I am also accepting the consequences of being disrespectful to someone who has the power to arrest me. Stand your moral high ground if you want, but then don't complain when the cops behave exactly how you'd expect them to by handing you a bunch of tickets or putting you in cuffs.
No victim no crime. If no victim there is no standing, no standing no jurisdiction, no jurisdiction then the judge must dismiss the case.
A phrase I never imagined Steve saying...."It was LIT!"
I've subscribed to your method of conducting yourself in a traffic stop since I was a police cadet back in the late 70s. In all those years, I've received one ticket. ANY interaction with an officer has a better chance of going your way, if you just don't lead with your dick. Cops have to deal with that crap all day, every day. The rare time when someone cooperates is like a breath of fresh air to them. Thanks for making this video...hopefully it'll make a difference.
I've tried being nice and still got a ticket.
From my experience... After your first ticket, you're almost guaranteed that every encounter after will be a ticket
Are you blonde with a great figure? There’s your clue. (JF)
Hi Steve, I'm of the oldschool mindset I have my license, registration & insurance card in my hand, the window down & the interior lights on by the time they get to my window. It has always worked in my favor & when they ask the standard questions, I play along as best I can unless they they get ridiculous, then politely inform them that I disagree & that I'm not arguing on the side of the road & that I will take my chances with a judge based on my impeccable 46 year driving record. Cops have bad days too.
I've heard other lawyers explain how answering such questions can land you an arrest and possibly conviction for a more serious crime that happened that you had nothing to do with. The most frequent advice I hear is to respond with something like, "I don't answer questions." You might get a ticket, because ACAB, but you have no obligation, nor are you being rude by refusing to answer questions, or refusing to roll down the window more than the crack necessary to hear the cop and slide identification through.
We truly are living under the government the founders warned us about. It shouldn't be necessary to kiss someone's ass to avoid being economically terrorized for harmless behavior.
As a 25+ year retired LEO, I can guarantee that if you want to be an a$$ on the side of the road. The chances of you getting any kind of break greatly diminishes. Polite, respectful and honesty always went a long way with me. We are all human and make mistakes sometimes.
You’re absolutely correct . I agree with you . 100%
Retired psych nurse here. De-escalation is the goal whether agitated patient or LEO.
Easily done without "kissing ass."
LOL...My level of politeness depends on how fast they try to violate my rights!
For those people that want to give cops a hard time: watch body cam videos of cops and see what they have to deal with on a daily basis. Then ask yourself how you'd end up day after day after day. Do you go in for surgery and tell the doctor that he and the hospital are ripping you off before you go under the knife? You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. You're so worried about what you can and can't do that you don't stop and think what you should or should not do. Thanks Steve, I appreciate the video.
My brother-in-law was a cop in NJ. They had a DUI program that if a cop accepted he would work after completing his shit to look for DUI. They were paid over-time pay but were only to find DUI drivers no other violation! However if they did not arrest anyone for DUI they were not paid for the time worked.
Well said Steve. It does not take anything to be nice
It is always a good idea to put the officer at ease.
He is LEO, and has a very dangerous job.
I had the same thing happened to me 1 afternoon a few years back, he asked where I was going? I put my back widow down and told him I was going to the mall to sell girl scout cookies, I have a cdl he gave me a written warning and told to slow down Thank THE Lord!
Asking permission to reach your wallet is the most American thing I've heard today
You summed up perfectly how I react when stopped by the police. I'm the most helpful guy in the world when stopped.
I drive a truck. In stops or inspections I am always relaxed and cooperative. Years ago I was stopped at night on the 80, the 94 or the 96. The trooper asked if I was wearing my seat belt when I passed him in the median. I smiled and admitted that actually, no, I wasn't. I expected him to urge me to buckle up and continue on. To my complete shock, he demanded $100.00 cash as sentence for my conviction! When I declined, he told me he'd keep my New York state driver's license until it was paid. Now I was really upset because I'm driving without a license. Partly because of that my next new car was a Honda made in Ohio.
as a former truck drive u are 100% correct traffic stops for police is very dangerest for them
I’m almost 62 and have been pulled over 4 times by cops, three city cops and one deputy sheriff. I was polite and respectful and never received a ticket.
I was pulled over by a sheriff deputy 12 years ago. I came to a stop at a stop sign and I saw the police headed my way. He had to go over 2 sets of railroad tracks that I knew were really bad and he would need to slow down for. I turned and he lit me up. When he told me why he stopped me I explained about the RR tracks. He took my license, walked halfway to his car, turned around and gave me my license back and actually apologized. Said I was right, he had to slow down and I was free to go. I am lucky I got a good cop and not a power hungry one.
FANTASTIC. I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU. I DO THE SAME THING, AND I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK A FEW TIMES OVER MANY YEARS IN BETWEEN.
The highlight of this one for me was:
"But Steve, there are some people out there who never get pulled over!"
"Yeah, I know, I drive behind them..." 🤣
I read once where it was said that many people who were drunk tended to drive slower and more carefully than normal, so driving that was is.....suspicious too.
@@WayneKeen Of course I can't say for sure, but I think you got your intoxications slightly mixed up.
From what I have heard, people who are high on cannabis tend to do what you are describing. They KNOW that they are impaired, they can feel it, and they overcompensate for it, by driving VERY slowly. But they also react very slowly.
People who are drunk, tend to not feel that they are impaired. In fact, they tend to feel that they are driving very well. And so they have a tendency to drive faster than normal, and also to react slowly and basically drive all over the place.
But you are right. If you see a person who is driving considerably slower than normal drivers do, and seem to have very slow reactions, then quite likely he is either: 1: High on cannabis, or 2: Very tired, or 3: Very old. So that is also quite suspicious.
@@WayneKeen I know of a good highway that has a speed limit of 50 MPH. Have never heard of anyone getting pulled over for doing 55 MPH. However, I have heard of several drivers telling of doing 40 MPH to 45 MPH especially at night being pulled over and checked for drinking.
@@WayneKeenIn these cases, most often pulled over doing 45MPH in the 50 MPH limit without holding up anyone behind them. One fellow was having problems with oncoming traffic headlights blinding him.
I had a police officer tell me once the difference between careless and reckless driving was on how polite you were to him.
the difference between careless and reckless driving was on one person's perception.
Dude I avoided getting arrested for 31 over the speed limit in the 1990s being very polite. I got a huge ticket and points but they let me go.
That’s pretty ludicrous, when your level of “violation” comes down to how bad a day that cop is having. Gives me serious questions about the legitimacy of the whole process.
Experienced feelings being paid to work in jails and state penal facilities.
I had two choices. My instruction or having the felon administered by
the on-duty Shift Captain. Nobody was exempt from institution rules.
Also did as much as a Deputy Sheriff in traffic stops , citations , and
courtroom procedures. I'm retired and some people I dealt with are
alive or have died in incarceration. I recommend public sector hire to
halt liars.
Well thats the very definition of injustice.
Steve… same experience after passing the sheriff on the right at 70 in a 55 zone. Rolled the windows down, turned on the interior light. He noted this and he asked me why. Told him, so you can relax. Was on my way as soon as he checked for warrants.
Our egos and attitudes can be our worst enemy. Im always meek and kind to officers. Ive been let off with a warning twice and gotten the lesser of the infraction 3 times
@@moedark4390 no bro, its their egos and attitudes that are our worst enemy. You need to be grateful that you have been very lucky but realize you have been very lucky. I implore you to search TH-cam for "1st amendment audits" and learn from them. Our country is in a police state and We The People... are the only ones who can fix it because the government, which the police are part of, are not on our side.
I saw your other video about this subject and a few months later I got pulled over. The cop asked me why I had my hands on the steering wheel. I told him it was a courtesy so he could see my hands. His whole demeanor then changed. He smiled and said “thank you. I appreciate that”. We had a polite short conversation and I did not get a ticket.
You're absolutely right. I've done those things for years and it's always turned out good. I always wondered why you'd give a cop a hard time when he's the one with a gun, taser, pepper spray, billy club and can make one call and have five more just like him show up in a heartbeat.
👍
Sometimes a warning has a more positive impact on people driving safely than a ticket. Nice job Steve.
a police officer I used to know before he moved to a different town once told em, he'd rather see an improvement in behavior than write a ticket.
Yup. My paid positive was unambiguous.
Please pardon my use of too many syllables.
@@kenbrown2808 yup.. It's better to have a good 🐑 than an angry 🐑 that may turn into a wolf.. 😂😂
That is absolutely correct. When you get a ticket you’ve become a victim. When you get a warning you feel like you were giving something.
@@matdddd , a victim for getting a ticket because you did something wrong which was also unlawful? How do you figure that? By breaking the law, you take a chance on making somebody else a victim from your bad driving.
One of my middle school coaches that was a former cop gave us this exact advice back in the mid 80s. Don't ask me why he was giving this advice to a bunch of 12 year olds, but I always followed it and it has served me well. I can't say that I have always gotten out of tickets, but I haven't been shot...so there's that.
Oddly enough, I remember better a lot of stuff I learned as a kid than things I learned at age 40. Someone talking to you about traffic stops and driving is kinda cool when you're 12 and may stick with you. By the time you're 16, you know it all so don't need to listen.
100% spot on advice. Any guy who thinks being nice to a cop is a threat to their manliness doesn't need to worry - it's gone already. Real men are courteous. Real men think about how their actions will affect others, etc etc.
No True Scotsman fallacy.
There is being polite, which can help with most interactions with other humans and some dogs.
There is also self-incrimination, which is gorram stupid.
When a cop asks you, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" or other questions, DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION!
I am always polite, but if a cop starts with BS,
I let them know politely that I am not playing.
who fed you that line of crap?