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SALT LAKE CITY -- There's an art to getting pulled over by police. As you cruise down the road and see those lights flashing in your rearview mirror, police officers want you to know what to do in a routine traffic stop.
Officers say pull over to the right side of the road, come to a complete stop, and then the officer will approach your car.
- Stay in your vehicle
- Don't get agitated
- Know your rights
As you pull off to the right, remember the first basic rule -- never get out of your vehicle.
"Somebody could crash into the patrol car and slam it forward into your car," says Utah Highway Patrol trooper Todd Johnson. "So you're better off with the door shut, seat belt on, [and] facing forward."
Furthermore, says Johnson, when people step out of their vehicles and they're agitated, "it does come across as threatening to the officer."
In Johnson's experience, it's just better to stay in your vehicle.
"Too many bad things have happened when people have exited their cars,to the people themselves and the police officers," says Johnson.
Honesty is always the best policy when you want to explain your side of the story.
"It may not always get you out of a citation," says Johnson, "but it does seem to help as far as the way the traffic stop's going to go."
Johnson says most people are friendly when they get stopped, even if they disagree with the officer issuing the ticket.
Johnson suggests having a kind demeanor when an officer pulls you over because people can get hurt.
"One thing we don't want is to see people become agitated when they leave, even if they don't overreact," explains Johnson. "When they leave from that traffic stop because of their agitated state, they may be distracted because of that while they're driving."
Finally always remember to play nice with police. You still may get a ticket but if you disagree with the officer, know your rights.
"Signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt," explains Johnson. "It's a promise that you'll appear before the court. You always do have that constitutional right to appear in court and challenge that citation."
In court, you and the officer can argue the citation.
Police say mastering these basic dos and don'ts could save yourself and others on the road as well.
E-mail: niyamba@ksl.com
