Labor Day weekend is approaching and trust me when I say that there will practically be a police officer at every corner looking for irresponsible drivers. You better believe that we’re all preparing ourselves around the office for the loads of calls and emails we’re going to get next Tuesday.
Needless to say, chances are there are going to be a lot of people getting pulled over and I thought I’d give you some pointers on what to do if it were to happen to you.
Stay Calm and Be Polite.
I understand you may be very emotional or angry when a cop comes knocking at your window. However, if you can, bite your tongue, stay calm, and be polite. If you’re rude or angry, you could end up angering an officer which could lead to you possibly dealing with an additional charge by being disorderly.
Know What You Are Required to Say and Do.
When a police officer pulls you over, you are required to tell them your name, give them your paperwork (license, registration, proof of insurance), and submit to a BAC test. You do not need to take a field sobriety test. Furthermore, you do not need to answer any of the officer’s questions other than stating your name. You can say you do not wish to answer any questions until you have a lawyer present. Again, be sure to do so politely.
If you can, request a blood test.
You will need to submit to an evidentiary BAC test. (If you refuse this, you will be charged with a refusal to take a BAC test.) If you can, ask the officer to take you to the station so you can test your BAC via a blood test. It is more accurate and you will not run the risk of taking a breathalyzer test with an incorrectly calibrated device. (This could make your B.A.C. number higher than it actually is.) Yes, this does mean you will need to take a trip to the station, but it will help you out in the long run.
Above all, you should remember take control and make responsible decisions. Not everyone does; we all know that. However, if things were to get dangerous, don’t make it worse for yourself by acting disorderly.
Finally, if you want to avoid this altogether, don’t get behind the wheel and make sure you have a designated driver.
