The Virginia DWI Blog

We all like to think we know what to do when pulled over (or in Adrian Hill’s case, when caught on YouTube). However, even the most confident of drivers panics a little when they see those red and blue lights flare up.

Whether you’ve been speeding, driving recklessly, or you really don’t know why you’re being stopped, here are a few simple steps to take when pulled over:

1. Pull over as quickly, safely, and carefully as possible. Safety first, people. No matter what, you want to be as polite to the officer as you can. Part of this means pulling as far to the side as possible so they won’t worry about being hit as they approach your car on foot. Also, the quicker you respond to their sirens, the more cooperative you will appear to be.

2. Await the officer’s instructions. While you do want to be cooperative, don’t take it too far. Digging around for your license and registration before you’re asked implies that you know the drill. This tells the cop you’ve had some experience with this, and makes you look slightly suspicious. Just do what you’re told, when they tell you to do it.

In Virginia, you are required to have your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance available. If you need to retrieve any of these items from your glovebox, let the officer know before you reach for it. You should make sure they can see your hands (and any passengers hands) at all times.

3. Don’t admit fault. Inevitably, the officer will ask if you know why you’ve been pulled over. While tempting to spit back some Jay-Z lyrics, stop. The best answer to this question is most likely “no sir,” or “no ma’am.” Fighting a ticket becomes far more difficult when you have expressed guilt.

4. Sign the ticket. If the officer decides to give you a ticket, sign it when he or she asks you to do so. Signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt. Remember, you need to be polite even if you disagree with the charge. It’s better to contact an experienced attorney and let them handle your dispute than argue with an officer.

Dealing with tickets can be unpleasant. Many people just want to pay their fine and get it over with. While this acceptable, keep in mind what multiple speeding tickets and/or reckless driving charges will do to your driving record and insurance rates. Hiring an experienced lawyer may be the best thing for your future.

Related posts:

1. Pulled Over by the Police? 4 Ways to Make Things Go Smoothly
2. The Shocking Truth About Reckless Driving Speeding in Virginia
3. Virginia Bill Increases Penalties for Unlicensed Drivers
4. Don’t Tell the Police Officer Your Brother is a Cop!
5. Texting and Driving: Are Bans Effective?

Tags: experienced Virginia attorney, Jay-Z, pulled over in Virginia, Reckless Driving, speeding ticket