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Tips for a Cop-Free Car Ride

You are in your car and are found guilty of something. Don't pretend; the cop sure knows what you were doing. He can smell what you consumed an hour ago. "I don't consent to a search" is not going to help either. Wanna display the "I know my rights" attitude? Try it in vain. There is no way you're going to win with the traffic police 100 per cent of the time. If you're stopped, chances are high that you're stopped for a reason. Cops are just like the rest of us; they have good days and bad days. Make it easy for them and chances are they'll make it easy for you. Treat them with respect and they'll generally reciprocate. Sure, there are those bad ones that wait there just for money. But in general, here's what best you can do to avoid an argument with that traffic cop.

Have All Documents Handy

Always carry your driving license and important documents such as your vehicle registration certificate, insurance certificate and road tax certificate with you while driving. It is not compulsory to carry the original RC and car insurance certificate though. Carry an attested copy of the same. Also, The Motor Vehicle Act permits a period of 15 days within which the RC is to be produced before the officer who demanded it.

Make Sure Your Car and Its Contents are Legal

Tinted windows may look cool, but aren't legal. As provided in Rule 100 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the glass of windscreen and rear window of motor vehicles should have a visibility of at least 70 per cent and that of side windows a minimum visibility of 50 per cent. Don't follow it and expect regularly stops. Got a tail light, brake light or indicator out? Give the cop a reason to eye you, and that's an excuse for a stop. The same holds good for a cracked taillight or burned out headlight.

When Stopped, Be Courteous

If stopped by a cop, keep your hands on the wheel. Try to analyze the cop's perspective. He doesn't know you're a decent person. He may even think you're a serial killer looking for the next prey. By making him uneasy, may be by leaving the driver's window cracked and not fully open, he could make your life hell. Here's what you need to do: Pull to the right shoulder as quickly as it's safe to do so, put off the stereo and end any cell phone conversations. Switch off the motor, park the car, apply the handbrake, pull down all windows and rest your hands on the steering wheel. When the cop asks you if you know why you were stopped, be honest.

Communicate Verbally and Non-Verbally

The cops would most of the time want to see your hands. Reaching quickly into the glove box for your registration can even leave the cop thinking that you're going for a gun. So instead, tell the cop: "Officer, my registration is in the glove box. Can I grab it?" Of course he's going to say yes, and chances are you've just put him a bit more at ease. If you carry a gun in the car, make sure you're in compliance with the law. And, don't keep your registration in the glove box if you carry a gun in there. Don't lie if the cop asks you directly, "Do you have any weapons in the car?", because if he finds it later you will be in for a whole lot of grief.

Recognize Achievement

Check his badge for the rank if you can't tell from his sleeves. Cops love recognition as much as anybody else. Address the cop with his designation. You'll get a lot more mileage out of this recognition than you will out of calling him 'sir'. They would know you're muttering abuses under your breath, so the fake 'sir' doesn't help your case in the least. However, when in doubt, stick to 'sir'.

Know Any Big Shot in the Police Force?

Knowing another policeman can help at times. However, be cent per cent sure that you know the cop you are referring to. Unless you can back it up, don't even try this angle, because the cop has heard every story in the book a few thousand times. If you really are politically hooked up, the cop will realize this soon enough. You may have to answer questions like questions like "who is he" or "how do you know him"; if it's a friend of a friend, be honest. Cops know a lot of other cops, and they'll pick up on lies in a heartbeat.

Be Patient

Just sit tight, no matter how long the stop takes even if it is in the middle of the night (as long as you know the cop is not fake). You may not have done anything wrong. But, waiting till the cop approaches you and runs a license and registration check can leave the cop handing over your documents and even apologizing for the wait. Instead, if you appear nervous or anxious, he may take more time searching the car or may charge you for breaking a traffic law that was otherwise forgivable.

Never Argue with the Cop

You can never win an argument with a cop. Even if the cop has said something wrong, do not argue, for, he will sure want to see you in court and he'll also remember every last detail of the stop. Make his life easy, and make your traffic stop forgettable, and you've just reduced the likelihood that he'll remember the relevant details if you do need to go to court. If he's rude, or if you believe you were treated unfairly, get his name and badge number. Try to do this carefully, because saying, "I want your name and badge number" isn't going to help. You can report him to his supervisor. If that doesn't work, don't be afraid to bounce it up further.

Drink and Drive - A Strict No

Drive drunk? Drive high? You're living on borrowed time and sooner or later something's gonna go wrong. It has been found that alcohol was present in between 33 and 69 per cent of fatally injured drivers, and in between 8 and 29 per cent of drivers involved in crashes who were not fatally injured. Get your booze on in the privacy of your home or at your friend's. Call a sober friend, call a cab or walk home; whatever you do, don't get behind the wheel or drive with someone else who's wrecked. Drinking gives a false sense of confidence and slows one's reflexes, thus increasing chances of car accidents.

Don't Drive Rash

Almost everybody loves speed. Similarly, if you weave in and out of slower traffic, pass on the shoulder, roll through stop signs and ignore red lights often, sooner or later, you're going to get stopped. There are speed limits everywhere. Follow them at all times and make everybody's journey easier. Drive safe. Don't let your driving habits turn that joyful journey into a fatal one.

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