What are appropriate places to pull over when a cop hunts you down?

Question

Is it appropriate to pull over on the curb right next to somebody’s house? (safety issue?)
Is it appropriate to pull over in a turn lane?
Is it appropriate to pull over in the middle section of a parking lot? Is it appropriate to pull over in an actual parking spot?
Is it appropriate to pull over on the right side of the road even if there is not a section to do so? (in other words pulling over where you are forcing other cars to go around you)

You know any other places where people pull over and get scolded by officers for it?
You know any other places where you can pull over that might not be obvious to the naked eye?

I’ve been driving for 2 years and have never been pulled over, and it’s bound to happen sooner or later, don’t hate on me if you wanna call this stupidity
Thanks guys

Answer 1

Your question is a very reasonable one (except for the "hunt you down" part). I don't hunt people down for simple traffic violations, I stop them.

Chances are the police officer has already chosen the place he wants you to pull over in, because of the timing of the activation of the roof lights. I won't throw the roof lights on if the driver can't pull over somewhere safe (safe for both of us, because I'm the one that has to hang her butt out on the roadway while talking to the driver). I always appreciate when the driver pulls over to the right as far as possible, so that I can have a good area of safety to approach the vehicle. It is okay to pull into a parking lot or onto a side street as long as you don't drive too far after the lights come on. If you drive too far you will peeve off the officer, who will begin to think that there is a reason that you aren't stopping right away (hinding drugs, reaching for a gun, planning to bolt out of a stolen car, that's the way we think).

Places not to stop:
Do not stop in the middle of the left lane if you are on a multilane highway, pull onto the shoulder, as far over to the right as you possibly and safely can.
Don't stop on a bridge or overpass where there is no shoulder, drive very slowly and pull over as soon as possible. Don't block an intersection when stopping.

Here is a something to keep in mind. I will generally put rooflights on first and then see if the driver pulls over. Some people are clueless and won't notice the roof lights flashing behind them because they never look in their rear view mirror. I will then give a couple of short blasts of siren to get the driver's attention. If you hear a blast of siren I would suggest you pull over right away no matter where you are. If the short blast doesn't work, my adrenaline kicks into gear and I put the siren on full. Sometime toggling between the different sounds. If the driver still doesn't get it I will call in the plate and tell the dispatcher that I have a vehicle that possibly will not stop and other units will begin to proceed in my direction. I will sometimes (if on a multilane) highway pull up beside the car and manually signal the driver with a "pull over stupid" finger point at the shoulder of the road. Chances are if you have reached this point that you will get a blast from me and maybe a ticket out of the stop.

If you have pulled over in a location that the officer doesn't like he/she will generally tell you to move your vehicle, so don't worry about it too much. The most important thing is to be polite with the officer and keep your hands visible at all times. Don't dive for the glove box (looking for documents) as the officer is approaching the vehicle. Wait until the officer asks for the documents and then tell the officer where the documents are and that you are planning to get them. Do not leap out of the vehicle as the officer is approaching your car. Many people do this because they aren't wearing their seat belts, but all it does is puts the officer in a defensive frame of mind.

Answer 2

As soon as you see a police car with it's flashers going or he sounds his horn, & you're sure he's stopping YOU, get off to the right side of the road ASAP, so as not to cause a traffic flow problem & to comply with the police officer even before he approaches your car. If the police officer doesn't like where you're parked, he'll tell you. If you get pulled over for whatever reason, the last thing you worry about is who's watching, you aren't the first to be stopped & you won't be the last. Once you stop your car, stay INSIDE the car, shut the car off, & put your hands where the police officer can see them. Do exactly as he asks you to do. One other word of advice. If you are in a left turning lane & a police car approaches from behind, stay in that lane. He may be answering a call having nothing to do with you. By trying to get out of his way, you could cause an accident, so stay put until the officer passes you & it's safe & time for you to turn. I say this because many people are confused when it happens to them. Your question isn't stupid...the only stupid question is the unasked one, so I was always told.

Answer 3

Its been my experience that a cop isn't going to even activate his lights to pull you over until there is a safe place to do it so he will probably follow you until he can safely pull you over. However, I have seen instances where a cop stopped someone while they were sitting at a traffic light. The cop didn't seem to care that he was blocking traffic.

The way I figure is that if you get pulled over and there is no place to stop safely, stop right where you are and wait for instructions from the officer. I recall a time when I was pulled over during a heavy rain storm. I stopped under a bridge not leaving enough room for the officer to pull under the bridge also. He kindly asked me to move up a little bit so that he wouldn't have to walk in the rain while getting out of his car.

Answer 4

As a Patrol SGT with a Sheriff's dept I can tell you this. When the lights come on behind you, turn on your flashers, slow to a speed, and look for a safe place for you and the officer to conduct a traffic stop that is safe for you and him. there are many places that are safe. for instance, if your in a district where there are businesses with parking lots, pull into a lot and to a place where your vehicle and the officers are out of the flow of traffice for the lot.

Please understand this does not mean you should drive for 5 miles looking for a place to pull over. 1st place you find is good. also list the officer might direct you to a place with his PA.

But always pull your vehicle to a place where both you and the officer can be safe from other motorist, who are craning there necks to see the pretty blue lights.

Answer 5

Just pull over to the nearest place where it is possible. If there is no shoulder or real place to pull over, try and do it anyway. If the officer thinks it isn't safe, they will tell you via their PA speaker what to do. They will tell you to pull forward and turn off the main road or something. But you don't want to drive for several minutes looking for a place to pull over and make them think you are running. They will never be too angry at you for pulling over when their lights are on, even if it is a busy road with no shoulder.

Answer 6

Is it appropriate to pull over on the curb right next to somebody’s house? (safety issue?) - Yes!

Is it appropriate to pull over in a turn lane? - Off the roadway...Yes!

Is it appropriate to pull over in the middle section of a parking lot? - Out of the flow of traffic....Yes!

Is it appropriate to pull over in an actual parking spot?...Yes!

Is it appropriate to pull over on the right side of the road even if there is not a section to do so? (in other words pulling over where you are forcing other cars to go around you)...Probably better to get out of the flow of traffic.


I'm sorry you think the police are there to "scold" you. I would prefer to say the police are there to make the roads safer for you to drive upon.

None the less, the laws throughout this country stipulate that "upon the approach of an emergency vehicle...ALL lanes of traffic should immediately pull to the right side of the roadway.." to allow safe passage.

Answer 7

It's illegal because the law says it's illegal. Usually someone's parents calls the cops and reports it. If no one reports it and you don't get pregnant, then the cops will never know and they won't come after you. If someone reports you to the cops yes you can get arrested. Usually you will get booked and released to your parents depending on the circumstances. If it was a 40 year old guy with a 15 year old girl, he's going STRAIGHT to jail fora long time. If you are 15 and your BF is 15 or 16 it's a different matter but the courts will get involved. Any sex with anyone under 16 (in 38 states in the US. 17 in some and 18 in some other like California) is illegal for both parties. It's illegal for you to have sex if you're under 16 and illegal for someone to have sex with you if you're under 16. Unless you're doing it by yourself. Then it's only illegal is your BF watches or if it's in public.

Answer 8

when getting pulled over the best rule of thumb is to pull over were you are not obsructing traffic. if you are on a very dark road you are allowed to turn on your hazard lights and drive to a well lit area but make sure you have the hazard lights on and you are going slow so the officer doesnt think you are trying to flee. never in a turning lane, and never in a median. if you dont want to pull over in someones front yard to save face(embarassment) well you are just going to have to suck it up and deal with the law enforcment officer. if you dont have a major infraction it generaly wont take too long. Good luck buddy.

Answer 9

been pulled over too many times...but pretty much pull over to the nearest, safest area...cuz it depends on where u at. i think it is more appreciative to the cop that you pull over as soon as safely possible than keep them dragging then they'll pull out an all vehicles pursuit and you'll end up on a high speed chase and appear live on the 5 pm news with super sky eye helicopter buzzing at you.

no matter what, it's always good to carry some water in your car, when the cop pulls you over, quickly throw some of that water at your crotch and wet yourself. act real embarrassed and say you were trying to get to the nearest restroom cuz you have a bladder problem. usually cops are cool and be like you just watch out next time and go clean yourself up.

Answer 10

A safe area where you and the officer are safe is the best spot but whatever you do don't drive a few kms before stopping cause then they will get pissed.....gl and remeber if you do get pulled over stay cool and don't panic and you will be ok...