Update
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Know Your Rights: Traffic Stops

When you're pulled over by police during a traffic stop, the officer will you usually ask you "Do you know why I pulled you over?" That's basically the same as asking you "Do you know why you're guilty?" The sensible thing to do would be to not answer the question or to simply ask them why they pulled you over, even if you know why they did.

Another common question they may ask is "Do you know how fast you were going?" Again, a potentially incriminating question. The sensible response to that would be to say "Yes." If they ask you how fast you were going, say you do not wish to answer; that you're just invoking your right to silence.

You're not under any obligation to answer questions from police officers, especially if the questions involve you acting as a witness against yourself. I'll go more into officer questions on another post, but when it comes to traffic stops, these are some basic things you ought to remember in the event you get pulled over by a cop.

Always know your rights!

[i]Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, this is just something I'm posting for informative purposes. Most of it is ripped from a segment of the same name on my sister's podcast, so credit to her for giving me something to post about here.[/i]
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
4meAndyou · F
In my experience, of having been stopped MANY times, I am always honest. Usually, if I am speeding, it's because I haven't looked at the speedometer...and I am just driving the same speed as the person in front of me.

So to that question I always say no, I don't know how fast I was going. Because I don't often pay attention on the highway. And the officer will then TELL me how fast I was going. Once in a great while, I'll look down and go into shock. I guess I have a lead foot.

I am always genuinely sorry if I have been speeding. I seldom get tickets in my home state, but I got two within 6 months when I lived in Lansing, once for going 5 miles over the limit, and another time when the speed reduction sign was covered by a tree branch.

They raise their funds for the city by deliberately hanging out in places where they know people don't see the speed change, and if you have out of state plates forget it...you might as well drive up to the court house and just pay in advance.