I have read in several places that it is legal for a single, young female to drive to a public place when a cop is trying to pull her over. However, I have watched COPS, and how do I let them know that I am doing that? I don't want to be shot at or anything. I have never been pulled over, but I was just wondering. Please answer this if you really know, and can back it up. I don't want people that are just assuming. No offense, but I don't want any jokes about this. :)
2006-11-25 17:32:11 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I don't understand the people who say the cop will be mad at you. Believe it or not he/she will not take your traffic issues personally and you will not be shot at for crying out loud. (*By the way, if you are ever at gunpoint, that is not the time to use your cell phone to call your lawyer*)
If you are really interested in your safety, have numbers to your local city, county and state police offices in your vehicle or in your cell phone. These are good to have anyway. Also, many people don't know their own license plate numbers, have that written down as well, for the dispatcher. Verify the cop is real with the dispatcher.
It would also help if you got to know who the cops are. Schedule a ride-along so you can see the cop's side of things or just stop by and meet some of them. That might help reduce your fear of them a little. They're just people after all and they probably have kids just like you that they want to keep out of harm's way.
Also, best way to deal with cops is to be honest. Most of them understand being pulled over makes people nervous. If the officer is in plain clothes and you still don't feel comfortable, you can request a uniformed officer, within reason (manpower). Most officers will probably even let you use their phone.
I hope this helped, keep up your good driving and don't believe everything you see on tv.
2006-11-27 17:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by BrutalBaby 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Let me clarify something. The information is not gender biased. Even if you are male you have the right to be in a well lit area.
Put on your hazards. That is how you let them know you know they are there. Reduce your speed enough so they know you are not trying to run.
Turning on your interior light causes ghost reflections that can cause an accident. IF you can, flick it on and off so the officer knows you are alone, but that doesnt matter, you can have every seat in the car filled, you are still allowed a well lit area.
Dont be too picky. Dont pass up the gas station so you can pull into Starbucks.
When you do stop, turn on your interior lights, roll down your window and place both hand on your steering wheel. At 10 and 2 (think of a clock not a time).
As soon as the officer approaches. Apologize and let him/her know you were trying to get to a safe area. No, you are not doing anything wrong, but I find apologizing BEFORE they even ask puts them into more of a forgiving frame of mind.
2006-11-25 18:14:52 · answer #2 · answered by Texas Tiger 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how long it takes you to get to a "safe place"!! It's been my own personal experience that the longer it takes for you to pull over, the more irate the cop is going to be by the time you stop!! Also, he doesn't know if you're single or married - at least my driver's license doesn't have a marital designation on it!! If you look that good that you're worried he might try to make a move on you, maybe you should try not to drive alone on roads where there aren't very many public places to pull over into!!
2006-11-25 18:05:12 · answer #3 · answered by Pearl's oldest daughter 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if you do this, then you'll have to do some things to prevent you from being jacked up by the cop following you.
1. call the police and let them know where you are and tell them you are being followed by a cop( the dispatch will contact the cop and let him know your intent)
2. turn your interion light on so he can see you.
3. put your hazards on and drive slow.
4. as soon as you are pulled over turn the car off and place both of your hands out the window with your keys in hand for the officers safety.( remember he doesnt know you or what you are up to) plus its dark and his oh **** factor is very high because you didnt pull over. Be advised DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR UNTIL HE TELLS YOU, UNLESS YOU WANT TO GET SHOT!
2006-11-26 00:24:00 · answer #4 · answered by kram_7777 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
watching cops does not teach you anything about law enforcement. the only time an officer will pull a firearm is when he feels threatened. so unless you try to ram his patrol car i doubt you will have that kind of trouble. i am guessing that you mean local police. if you feel unsafe, then continue on to a place you feel comfortable with, do not speed, use your tun signals, and if you have a cell phone, call the police. identify yourself and tell them whats going on, they will radio the car. at that point you should feel safe enough regardless of where your at. however, I was caught speeding on a two lane highway with no shoulder. i lowered my window and gave an OK hand sign then drove for a good 2 miles with the officer behind, flashing lights and all, before i found a safe place to pull over. he understood and never gave it another thought.
2006-11-25 17:44:00 · answer #5 · answered by fn_49@hotmail.com 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is true that you can drive to a safe place. The rule of thumb is to turn on a reading lamp, that will let them know you are a lone and want to drive to a safe place. Or if you have a cell phone, make a call to the police and let the dispatcher know that there is an officer attempting to pull you over and you don't feel safe. Police will be mad if you are un-cooperative.
2006-11-25 17:35:00 · answer #6 · answered by NOT as smart as a 5th grader 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all lets set things straight if a cop pulls you over and you feel unsafe dial 911 and keep them on the line the dispatcher will track you and send a uniformed officer to your location.
2015-12-23 17:19:26 · answer #7 · answered by ej 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a right to feel safe even when getting pulled over. Don't exceed the speed limit and try point to a well lit public area ( if one is in site). Explain to the officer what you were doing and take the time to ask him/her what the proper procedure is.
2006-11-25 20:16:03 · answer #8 · answered by Pastor of CoRCS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is legal for you to go to a safe place. What you need to do, is call the local dispatcher of where you are, let them know where you are and that you are getting pulled over. Also, tell them that you want to go to a safe place. The dispatcher will tell the police. You would have to find the local dispatchers number. this is something that I was told. Check with your local police department to double check.
2006-11-25 17:37:49 · answer #9 · answered by Andigurl 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First, if you feel you haven't done anything to be pulled over....Drive to a more public area,slowly, so they don't think you are running from them. Chances are, if it is a real police car??? They ARE cops. An unmarked car with the lights??? I'd be cautious too. And they wouldn't hold it against you.
2006-11-25 17:37:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋