What do police look for when pulled over for a traffic stop?

After pulling you over, an officer will watch for any sort of “furtive movement.” A sudden lowering of one or both shoulders, for example, will tip the officer off that you’re attempting to hide something under the seat. An officer enforcing a traffic stop isn’t looking just for furtive movements.

How should you respond to a police officer who asks for documents?

You should generally let the officer do the talking, responding where appropriate. For example, when asked to hand over your license, registration, and proof of insurance, you should say something like, “Okay,” or, “Sure,” and fork over the documents.

What do you do when a police officer is harassing you?

Pull over in a way that will be most likely to calm down an angry or annoyed traffic officer. Use your turn signal to indicate any lane changes from left to right, and slow down fairly quickly, but not so quickly that the officer will have to brake to avoid hitting you.

Can a police officer search your car after pulling you over?

In general, a police officer who stops you for a traffic violation is not allowed to search your vehicle. But there are several exceptions to this general rule. After pulling you over, an officer will watch for any sort of “furtive movement.”

What do police need to pull you over for speeding?

For example, an officer needs a reason, called “reasonable suspicion,” to pull you over in the first place. That can be anything from speeding or not signaling a turn to having expired plates or a broken tail light.

What happens if a cop pulls you over for no reason?

Just because the cop pulls you over or gives you a ticket doesn’t mean the cop is in the right. Maybe the light was actually yellow when your car was in the intersection, or the nearest speed limit sign had been knocked over. Or the cop might suspect your car is stolen because you’re driving in an area with a high risk of theft.

What should you do if a police car is following you?

If a police car is following you with its siren blaring or emergency lights flashing, pull over to the right quickly (but safely) and come to a complete stop in a safe place. Pulling over right away isn’t an admission of guilt. It just means that you were alert to everything that was happening around you.