Being pulled over by the police is something that almost all of us will experience at some point in our lifetimes. Whether the stop is for something trivial, such as a broken tail light, or a violation that is more serious, such as aggravated speeding or DUI, it can be stressful no matter what. Much of the anxiety and uncertainty that comes from a traffic stop often stems from the lack of interaction and knowledge of what to do when interacting with police. Traffic stops can end up ultimately resulting in serious criminal charges for various things, including inappropriate interactions with officers. It is important for you to know how to responsibly handle a traffic stop if you are pulled over in Illinois.

Do Not Give Police Officers a Reason to Be Suspicious

For the most part, all traffic stops follow pretty much the same pattern, beginning with the officer pulling you over. Being a police officer is a dangerous job, but the risk comes with the territory. Officers are injured or killed each day, even in routine tasks such as traffic stops. In order to make your traffic stop goes smoothly with as little conflict as possible, you should try to remember these important points:

If you are a driver, there is a good chance you will be pulled over by law enforcement for some reason during your lifetime. If you have ever been stopped by the police, you know the feelings of anxiety and fear that can manifest because of those flashing red and blue lights. Being pulled over because an officer suspects you are driving under the influence (DUI) is even more serious. DUI offenses are not taken lightly in the state of Illinois, and a conviction for a first offense could result in steep fines, the suspension or revocation of your driver's license, and even jail time. Although the uncertainty of a DUI traffic stop can be very intimidating, what you do after being pulled over can greatly impact your case. Below are a few common mistakes that people make after being pulled over on suspicion of DUI:

Admitting You Have Been Drinking

When the police officer first approaches your window, he or she will probably try to make small talk. This might include questions about where you have been or what you have been doing. The officer might even outright ask you if you have been drinking. While you should never answer that you have indeed been drinking, you should also never lie to the police. If an officer asks you if you have been drinking, you can inform him or her that you would rather not answer that question.

In all 50 states, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When you are intoxicated, your body does not react to instances in the same way as it would when you are sober. Your response time is slower, your reflexes are diminished, and your cognitive abilities are impaired. This is what makes accidents involving an intoxicated driver so deadly. There were 27,046 people arrested for DUI in Illinois in 2017, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Being convicted of a DUI can result in serious penalties, including driver’s license revocation, fines, and even jail time in some circumstances.

Before the Stop

Before you are pulled over, a police officer must have probable cause to conduct a traffic stop. In other words, the officer cannot just randomly choose a car to pull over; there has to be a legitimate reason for the stop. Common factors that lead officers to pull over vehicles on suspicion of DUI include erratic driving, lane swerving, or speeding.

The majority of drivers in the United States will experience being pulled over by police at least once in their lifetime. With flashing lights behind you and a feeling of sinking dread in your stomach, being pulled over can be an anxiety-ridden experience. If you have never gone through a traffic stop before, you may not know what to do, and when we do not know what to do, we resort to instincts, which may not always be proper actions. Knowing what you should and should not do when you are pulled over by police may just prevent you from getting a costly traffic ticket.

1. As soon as you see an officer flash his lights or sirens at you, you should begin to slow down and pull off on the right-hand side of the road. If there is no shoulder on the road, or it is too narrow to stop on, you should put your hazard lights on to signal to the police officer that you acknowledge that he is pulling you over and find a safe spot to stop.
2. Once you are stopping, you should remain in your vehicle. Do not get out of your vehicle unless the officer asks you to do so. If you do get out of your vehicle, the officer may see this as aggressive behavior and a threat to his or her safety.
3. You should roll your window down completely and place both hands so they are visible on the steering wheel. This allows the officer to see exactly what you are doing.
4. When the officer reaches your window, he or she will ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance. If you do not have these documents readily handy, you should tell the officer that you are reaching to your glovebox or underseat compartment to get them.
5. You should answer any of the police officer’s questions in a polite and truthful manner. Even though you may be upset you are pulled over, you should be respectful to the officer.
6. If the stop results in a ticket or an arrest, you should not argue with the police officer over why you were stopped or be uncooperative with the officer’s instructions. If you are being pulled over because of suspected DUI, you should comply with the officer’s request for chemical or field sobriety tests.
7. Even if you believe the issuance of a ticket was unfair or unwarranted, you should not argue with the officer over the ticket. You will have the chance to present your side of the story at traffic court and explain why you think the ticket was unfair.

Get Representation from an Arlington Heights Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney

If you have ever been pulled over by police before, you know how upsetting it can be. You could follow all of these tips, do everything right and still be issued a ticket. If you have been issued a ticket for a serious traffic offense, it could adversely affect your driving record and carry a fine or even a possible license suspension. Getting a traffic ticket means that you should get immediate help from a Cook County traffic ticket defense lawyer. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney At Law, can help you plead your case in traffic court and fight to prevent a conviction. Call the office at 847-253-3400 to set up a consultation.