TGR Staff | Photos by Kenny Eliason and Jonathan Cooper - 12/12/2022
Getting pulled over by the cops once or twice a decade isn’t unusual. But if it’s happening to you all the time, you could be doing something to invite it. Generally, the police just aren’t that interested in law-abiding members of the public.
Unfortunately, many of us do things during our daily driving activities that attract police attention. We don’t intend to grab the attention of the law, but we wind up doing so anyway. You’re driving along down the road and all of a sudden, you see the blazing blue lights in your rear-view mirror. It’s a nightmare.
So what can you do to stop getting pulled over by the cops? Here are some tips.
Avoid Getting In Front Of A Cop Car
Tailing a cop car is usually okay, but, generally, you don’t want to be in front of one. Police officers, like everyone else, focus on what’s in front of them, so if they see an excuse to pull you over, they’ll take it.
If you notice a police officer coming up behind you, turn off the road you’re on as soon as you can, or naturally stop and park up. If there are no opportunities to do so, then fall back to the slowest lane and wait for the officer to overtake you. Most cops won’t suspect anything suspicious.
If you’re turning, always indicate. Again, this will signal to the officer that you’re engaged in normal driving behavior. Nothing suspicious is going on.
Keep Your Registration Current
Cops might see an old registration as an excuse to pull you over. Therefore, make sure that it’s current. Also check that it belongs to your car, not someone else’s.
Never modify your registration plate or buy one aftermarket. Make sure that it’s as dull and boring as possible so as to not attract the attention of busybody law enforcement officials.
Keep Your Auto Insurance Up To Date
Always make sure that you pay your insurance premiums and that they’re up to date. If cops suspect you’re driving without insurance, they can get extremely aggressive with you.
If you’re not sure whether your insurance is within date, call your insurer and ask. They’ll be able to tell you how long you have left and what you need to do to renew your policy.
Don’t Drink and Drive
1st offense DUI penalties can be severe, so don’t drink. Cops get special training that helps them identify drivers who’ve been drinking on the road. If they spot any of the signs, they’ll ask you to pull over and do a breathalyzer. That’s not something you want, particularly if you are over the legal limit.
Don’t Weave Through Traffic
Cops really don’t like drivers who weave in and out of traffic. While it might not be illegal, it’s a great way to grab their attention. Drive as boringly as you can if there are cops around. Don’t try to get to your destination any faster. Just take your time and be patient until the threat subsides. Then you can return to aggressive driving once they are out of sight.
Avoid Cutting Across Lanes
If your car has a lane warning or lane-keeping assist, then use it. Make sure that you stay within the lines at all times. If you keep cutting across lanes, then officers will see that as a sign that they need to monitor you. In their eyes, you may pose a threat to other road users, or you might be drunk.
Stay Slow And Boring
Don’t try to be the fastest thing on the road. Police officers receive endless training about why speeding is so dangerous and everything they need to do to stop it.
Therefore, drive as slowly as the law allows. Avoid going in the fast lane around cops. Just take your time, trundling along, 5 to 10 percent below the speed limit for the section of road you’re on. This type of driving signals to police officers that you take safety seriously and that you’re doing everything you can to protect yourself and other road users.
Keep Your Windows Dark But Legal
In the U.S., you’re allowed to tint the windows on your vehicle by a certain amount, but not too much. What you want is windows tinted just enough to make it hard for officers to see your face. If they can’t see who’s behind the wheel, they may have a fear of the unknown and be unwilling to stop and pull you over. They also can’t see what you're doing with your hands as easily, which is something they might use as an excuse to pull you over. Officers who can’t see into vehicles will worry about drivers reaching for guns in their gloveboxes.
Keep Your Car Looking Discreet
Driving a sporty, modified, or bright car is a bad idea for obvious reasons. Officers are much more likely to pay attention to these vehicles.
Therefore, keep your car standard and discreet. If you can, buy a boring Toyota or Honda. Make sure that nothing stands out at all.
If you need to undo some of the mods on your vehicle, do so. Avoid the temptation to put massive spoilers on the back or add huge, loud exhausts. It just attracts attention and it doesn’t make much of a difference to your vehicle’s performance unless you get involved in a high-speed chase.
Don’t Jump The Lights
If you’re waiting at a stop sign, be patient. Avoid the temptation to jump the lights and get to your destination faster. Cops take a dim view of anyone who rushes through stop signals, even if it’s to just turn right. It could result in an accident.
Conclusion
So, there you have it: some of our tips to avoid getting pulled over by the cops. Much of it is just common sense. You want your driving and vehicle to send out signals that you’re a regular, law-abiding citizen. You don’t want anyone getting the impression that you’re up to no good or drunk.
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