Guidelines to Follow in Ohio During a Traffic Stop: What Not to Do Once You Are Pulled Over

There really is no guideline or booklet available in the State of Ohio as to how you are supposed to respond during a traffic stop, and a lot of the information you get from mis-informed sources can actually make things worse for you! The Ohio Revised Code simply states that you must pull over immediately, and surrender any documents the officer asks for. So exactly how should you act during a traffic stop? Basically you should let common sense and courtesy dictate your actions. Being polite never hurt anyone's case!

So here is a simple guide as to how you should properly respond when an officer pull you over.

We have all had that one time behind the wheel of our car when the pressures of day to day living take control of our brains and we inadvertently overlook some basic yet specific traffic laws. Most common one is obviously speeding, which can happen to us when we are late for something important, or the weather first turns nice, and we have our radio turned up a bit too loud.

Next thing you know there are flashing lights coming up quickly behind you, and the speedometer shows a number which probably means you were actually going even faster before you noticed those flashing lights. Your driving life flashes before your eyes, and every infraction you have ever perpetrated seems to pop up on your brains flat screen TV, and everything from here forward is incongruous with your original plans for the day.

How are we supposed to act during a traffic stop?
So what are you supposed to do when there is law enforcement agent running up behind you with their lights blazing away? For the love of Pete, don't be that guy who things he is the one special driver who can outrun the police! It often ends in disaster, and sometimes it is someone else that you hurt! Obviously the first thing to do is slow down and pull over! In a perfect world you would find a safe place to pull off the road onto the shoulder or into a driveway of some kind. Ideally you would be safest in a well lit public place, such as the local police or fire station lot. a library, church, or business parking lot will do.

It is much safer for you and the police to be off the road so no cars can accidentally rear end the cruiser and even hit you. This happens far too often, and I feel that it is the job of every law enforcement officer to be very smart about where they stop. However the law is fairly clear on this, as you are supposed to pull over immediately! This is with some logic applied, so that you pull off the road far enough to let the cruiser have some room, and this way the officer will be safe while standing next to your car.

Show that you are stopping by putting on turn signal or flashers!
There is no harm in driving another 500 yards to get into a safe place. You see on the news where an officer is accidentally run over by another vehicle during a traffic stop. This seems to happen at least a few times a year here in the Cleveland Ohio area, especially on the highways in the winter. But you must make sure he knows you are slowing down. A good idea is to put on your flashers and slow to about half the speed limit until you are ready to pull off. Slowly come to a stop, do not jam on the brakes.

Do not jump out of your car, stay put and roll down your window, and wait for the officer to initiate the conversation. You are not in charge here, he or she is! Keep your answers brief and be honest, while being non committal on topics which may be misconstrued in court. Do not tell them how fast you think you were going, he will have that data, and no matter what you say it can and will be used against you! Do not engage in a debate over how fast you were going! Do not dig into your glove box or wallet as the cop is walking up on your car since he may interpret that as a sign that you are going for a weapon.

What weapons officer?
Do not play dumb when they ask about things like weapons. If you have one and there is a permit for it, then explain to him that you have it. You don't have to share with them why it is in your car. In most states, including Ohio, You do not have to allow a search of your vehicle if you don't want, this is on basic privacy rights issue, and you are not under any duress to give them this permission. They can do an arms length reach, based on suspicion, and probable cause. Unless they see or smell something they suspect is illegal, you don't have to give up any more than your basic information.

Try and remember their name and badge number for your records. It is important to remember as many details as you possibly can. Do not talk on your cell phone at any time during the traffic stop! It is rude and offensive.
If you think that you are being treated poorly, ask the officer if you could have his supervisor assist, or see if you can follow him directly to the police station.

Hey it's my birthday too!
Every once in a while when we are in a big hurry we end up doing something which draws the attention of the police. When the police pull you over there is one good way to act, and there are a lot of bad ways to act! I had one stop when it was my birthday and when the officer asked why I was in a rush I told him I was headed to see friends to celebrate my day, and it really made him angry, turns out it was his birthday as well! No special treatment for me on that fine sunny day!

Don't be short or rude, if you are angry with your situation do your best to keep that to yourself, as there is no need to take it out on the officer. Find some way to be calm and patient. give him the facts only with no embellishments. It is always nice to say yes sir. Wait your turn to speak until he or she speaks to you.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Listen carefully and obey all the commands they give you. Tell the truth no matter what because they will always be able to tell if you are lying! From the instant you begin speaking with the policeman think respect! like Aretha Franklin said best with her song: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

You don't have to thank them exactly, but being polite is always the best way to handle this kind of situation. After think about why this is happening to you? Did anyone but you push down on the gas pedal until you were way over the speed limit? Nope, that was all you baby, so take your lumps like a big person, and hopefully learn a lesson. I for one cannot afford the hefty fines that come along with a speeding ticket! It would just cut into my dwindling gasoline fund.

I usually search the "Ohio Revised Code" to view pages relating to Ohio traffic rules.

Another good resource for drivers to use is the Ohio State Highway Patrol website.

Thank you for reading my articles here on AC-Yahoo!