The sun is setting, you’re heading to dinner, and life is good. But then– it happens. Red and blue lights fill your cabin and flash on your mirrors. Getting pulled over by the police can rain on your parade, but it doesn’t have to get worse than a ticket. 

If you keep your wits about you and steer clear of these 12 traffic stop don’ts, your chances of a smooth, painless stop can increase exponentially.

Beyond doing something blatantly illegal or making a run for it, avoid doing these 12 big traffic stop no-nos

You can drive to the letter of the law, and still end up waiting on the side of the road for that police officer to walk up to your window. When that dreaded traffic stop happens, you’ll want to make things as easy as possible by avoiding these dozen faux pas. 

Ignore the signal to pull over

It might seem obvious, but don’t ignore or fail to acknowledge the lights and sirens. Doing so can make things much, much worse.

According to the Texas lawyers at Carter Criminal Defense, failing to stop promptly can land you a $500 fine in addition to whatever initial citation you were facing. That’s if they don’t consider you to be fleeing. In that case, violators could face up to six months in jail.

Stop somewhere dangerous

You shouldn’t ignore the signals, but you also shouldn’t try to comply so quickly that you do something dangerous. When you see the lights or hear the siren, signal immediately, identify a safe place to stop, and drive slowly to that stopping point.

Pulling over somewhere with dense traffic flow can put both you and the officer in harm’s way. Many police cars are equipped with loudspeakers; turn down your stereo and listen for instructions. The officer may direct you to a nearby parking lot or similar safe location.

Leave the vehicle running

Once you’re stopped, don’t leave the vehicle running. More often than not, the officer will tell you to shut off your vehicle. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a non-profit rights and freedoms organization, recommends that a driver shut off their engine and turn on their interior light. 

Exit the vehicle without prompt

Even if you’re confident that the traffic stop is a mistake or unwarranted, don’t exit the car before being prompted. Getting out of your car preemptively can add tension to the situation and complicate a relatively straightforward situation.

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) says that, if a cop prompts you to exit your vehicle, you should “keep your hands visible, exit the vehicle, and stand in a location as directed by the officer.”

Reach for anything abruptly or without communication

Once the police officer is alongside your window, it’s best to remain calm and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Now, the officer will likely ask for your license and registration. Don’t reach for it without communicating with the officer. A nervous cop may misinterpret sudden, undisclosed moves as hostility. 

Provide false information or volunteer too much information

Don’t be afraid to answer simple, lawful questions. However, you should avoid lying or providing false information. Should the traffic stop result in a criminal case, your words may come back to haunt you in court. Be truthful and stick to the basics. 

Be deliberately and unnecessarily confrontational or argumentative

You might feel as though a police officer is being unprofessional, rude, or even unlawful. And they very well might be. But it’s never a good idea to get agitated and argumentative yourself.

According to Carter Criminal Defense, angry behavior “could change an officer’s decision to simply issue a warning. In more serious cases, you could be giving the prosecutor video footage that will anger a trial jury or judge.” It’s better to file a report after the fact, should you feel you’ve been wronged. 

Neglect to notify the officer of a firearm in a ‘duty to inform’ state

In Alaska, Nebraska, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maine, North Dakota, and Ohio, motorists have a “duty to inform” police officers of their firearms during a traffic stop. Failing to do so can lead to criminal charges if officers find guns during a search. Never reach for a firearm during a stop unless instructed to do so by the police.

Consent to a search request without probable cause

While compliance is the best way to ensure a smooth traffic stop, you don’t have to submit to a search request. If an officer requests to search your vehicle without expressed probable cause or a warrant, you have the right to politely decline. Of course, should they claim probable cause, interfering with a search can land you in hot water with the authorities. 

Leave before the officer dismisses you with a warning, ticket, or arrests you

Let’s face it, even something as simple as rolling through a stop sign or speeding can make for a long, irritating traffic stop. Still, don’t leave the scene even if the stop is taking much longer than anticipated. 

Resist arrest, even if you’re sure it’s a wrongful arrest

For one reason or another, the police are arresting you. It’s a worst-case scenario, for sure. But even if you believe the arrest to be wrongful, don’t resist. Resisting arrest can lead to additional charges, injury, or worse. Comply and then seek legal representation as soon as possible. 

Forget the details of the traffic stop

Finally, remember the details of the stop. When you get the chance, record those details. If you have a dash cam, that’s even better. Should you believe the stop or any consequences to be wrongful or illegal, details will help you build a case after the fact. 

1. Ignore the signal
2. Stop somewhere dangerous
3. Leave the vehicle running
4. Exit the vehicle without prompt
5. Reach for anything abruptly or without communication
6. Provide false information or volunteer too much information
7. Be deliberately and unnecessarily confrontational or argumentative
8. Neglect to notify the officer of a firearm in a ‘duty to inform’ state
9. Consent to a search request without probable cause
10. Leave before the officer dismisses you with a warning, ticket, or arrests you
11. Resist arrest, even if you’re sure it’s a wrongful arrest
12. Forget the details of the traffic stop