# "Do you know why I stopped you, sir?" and other questions about police procedures **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2009, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036 "2009-01-13T04:06:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/41 "2009-01-15T16:01:47Z")
Again, in Ohio, at least, while they don’t have the insurance information online, if you cannot produce proof of insurance to the officer, they will allow you to mail or hand deliver proof of insurance to the courthouse. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/42 "2009-01-15T16:29:05Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Can I ask an aside? What documents do you have to carry with you to drive a car in the US? Do you always have to have a driving licence on you? What happens if you just jumped in the car in your pyjamas because you needed a pint of milk, but didn’t take your documents with you? Do you get a fine? > > In the UK, we don’t have to carry any documentation, although if stopped, you would normally be expected to produce documents (driving licence, insurance certificate) at any police station within 7 days. Wisconsin requires you to produce a drivers license and vehicle registration, but not proof of insurance. However, I’ve been stopped a couple of times while not carrying my wallet, and I haven’t been ticketed for not having the proper documents. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/43 "2009-01-15T16:43:19Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > No insurance is a serious offence in the UK too, with very similar charges. But the DVLA (licensing authority) now has all this information online, and I believe the police have access to this. I’ve certainly seen those kind of ‘police! action!’ shows where the police can identify an uninsured vehicle just from the licence plate That is what we should have but don’t. I know New York does since when I look up a New York plate the info is on there. All we have is a piece of paper. It can be easily forged. The owner could have applied for insurance, received a card, and they stopped paying. On the other hand a validly insured vehicle may have to be towed because the driver forgot to put a the new card in the vehicle. Some insurance companies (like Geico) are open 24 hours and will confirm insurance over the phone. Many will not or can not. The officer is under no obligation to call, the law is that the driver has to show proof. When I can, I try to call. But it is not always practical or possible. The law here is that an officer _must_ tow the vehicle. If the officer believes that the driver does have insurance and lets them go they must get proof of insurance within 24 hours or the officer has to track down the vehicle and tow it. Of course that is not very practical so the car is always towed at the time of the stop. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/44 "2009-01-15T16:46:27Z")
> [@seodoa](#): > > Again, in Ohio, at least, while they don’t have the insurance information online, if you cannot produce proof of insurance to the officer, they will allow you to mail or hand deliver proof of insurance to the courthouse. This was how it was in NJ until a few years ago. But due to the huge number of uninsured vehicles the law was changed. May have something to do with NJ having the highest insurance rates in the country. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/45 "2009-01-15T18:45:12Z")
Is it bad form to address the officer by stating “Do you KNOW who I am”? Suppose you are Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), you have had a few drinks, and a few oxycontins, and you can’t drive straight-how should you speak to the arresting officer? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/46 "2009-01-15T19:04:36Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Wisconsin requires you to produce a drivers license and vehicle registration, but not proof of insurance. However, I’ve been stopped a couple of times while not carrying my wallet, and I haven’t been ticketed for not having the proper documents. When were you asked for the registration during a traffic stop in Wisconsin? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/47 "2009-01-15T19:05:45Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Is it bad form to address the officer by stating “Do you KNOW who I am”? Suppose you are Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), you have had a few drinks, and a few oxycontins, and you can’t drive straight-how should you speak to the arresting officer? After watching the clip several thousand times I would find it impossible to not quote Eddie Izzard. “This is not a game of who the fuck are you.” ---
**Author:** ![Another\_Stranger\_Me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Another\_Stranger\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Another_Stranger_Me)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/48 "2009-01-15T21:46:49Z")
What about name-dropping? Does it help to mention my sister/uncle/roommate is a police officer in the nth precinct? Or more specifically to Loach (since I live one town over from the one listed under your location), should I mention I am a friend of Cecil hoping for some SDMB-inspired leniency? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/49 "2009-01-15T22:01:05Z")
> [@Another\_Stranger\_Me](#): > > What about name-dropping? Does it help to mention my sister/uncle/roommate is a police officer in the nth precinct? > > Or more specifically to Loach (since I live one town over from the one listed under your location), should I mention I am a friend of Cecil hoping for some SDMB-inspired leniency? I don’t know if it worked, but I did it a month back and didn’t get a ticket. I was stopped by a Dane county cop, and mentioned two other Dane cops I know well. One is a retired cop and works with me now, and the other is my boss’s husband. I mentioned them by their full names. At least it didn’t hurt. (I was stopped for expired plates – and then I didn’t have my wallet or license with me.) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/50 "2009-01-15T23:01:16Z")
> [@Another\_Stranger\_Me](#): > > What about name-dropping? Does it help to mention my sister/uncle/roommate is a police officer in the nth precinct? No. Many times just the opposite. Violator: Do you know SGT. Tim? PKB: Yes. So what? Violator: He’s my next door neighbor. PKB: Pretty good friends with him, are you? Violator: The best of friends. For years. [pause] PKB: I hate that guy! Stay in your car. [goes back to squad to write ticket]. Why should I let you go because of who you know? My wife and kids get tickets. How does my job exempt them from the law? **Boyo Jim** , when did you have to produce registration during a traffic stop? A stop that did not involve registration itself (like speeding.) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/51 "2009-01-15T23:10:28Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > No. Many times just the opposite. > > Violator: Do you know SGT. Tim? We had a family friend who retired as a state trooper, and he used to say that no matter whose name was dropped, he’d put on his most irritating frown and reply, “Yeah, I know that officer. He cost me a promotion!” He said that not once, in umpteen-many years of using that line, did he ever have a fellow trooper come up to him after the fact and say, “Hey, what promotion were you telling my friend about?” ---
**Author:** ![KnitWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@KnitWit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KnitWit)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/52 "2009-01-15T23:53:30Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > **Boyo Jim** , when did you have to produce registration during a traffic stop? A stop that did not involve registration itself (like speeding.) In Mass you must ALWAYS produce registration when pulled over. And if you don’t have it, they tow your car which you can’t get back (of course) until you produce that registration. In fact, my experience with the MA RMV is a bit circular and ridiculous. You can’t get registered or get insurance until you produce a driver’s license, which you can’t get without having insurance. Plus, how do you drive back and forth between all these places in order to GET documented. Oh, and you can’t do ANYTHING until your car has an inspection sticker. So you must drive to the inspection location illegally. And if you’re stopped…yeah…car towed with no way to take care of any of it. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/53 "2009-01-16T00:10:10Z")
> [@Another\_Stranger\_Me](#): > > What about name-dropping? When I was in high school, I was pulled over late one night (probably about 1am) after a party for driving left of center (it was late and I was sleepy and probably shouldn’t have been driving). Also, I was out past curfew. The officer looked at me and just said, “Oh! You’re Mrs. 〇〇’s kid! Your mom was my teacher in middle school, I loved her class! Go on, home. Tell her Officer Bumblefart says, ‘Hi.’” Small towns are nice like that. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/54 "2009-01-16T00:26:03Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > … **Boyo Jim** , when did you have to produce registration during a traffic stop? A stop that did not involve registration itself (like speeding.) I was asked for it – I have no idea wheether different kinds of violations will result in the cop asking for different kinds of documents. I didn’t have it, or a license, or any ID at all, because somehow I forgot may wallet. I gave him my name address and DOB, and he went back and called it in or looked it up – all their cars have computer. I dunno what data he looked at either, but I live in the county, so presumably there is info about me in county databases. I was stopped for expired plates. I was lucky not to get any tickets. I deserved at least two citations, maybe more. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/55 "2009-01-16T04:53:55Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I was stopped for expired plates. That’s why. I don’t know anyone (in Wisconsin) who ask for the registration slip on routine traffic stops like speeding. I can’t even find the statute/fine amount for it in my [bond book.](http://www.wicourts.gov/about/pubs/supreme/docs/bondsched08.pdf%5Bur) I can’t even find anything that says it’s required to be in the vehicle. The law may exist, but off the top of my head I can’t find it. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/56 "2009-01-16T06:28:43Z")
> [@Another\_Stranger\_Me](#): > > What about name-dropping? Does it help to mention my sister/uncle/roommate is a police officer in the nth precinct? > > Or more specifically to Loach (since I live one town over from the one listed under your location), should I mention I am a friend of Cecil hoping for some SDMB-inspired leniency? You live next to Baghdad? ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/57 "2009-01-16T06:41:05Z")
I’ve been pulled over for traffic violations in Arizona, California and Oregon and they’ve all asked for “License, registration and proof of insurance.” I’m going to also chime in that being a girl helps alot. I’ve gotten pulled over three times and not had my license and didn’t get in trouble. Got pulled over for going 45 in a school zone and was let off with a verbal warning. And the best of all… Driving around with my then boyfriend who noticed that my car didn’t have any license plate. I had been living in Oregon for about a year at that point and had never bothered to register the car or get my Oregon driver’s license. Hadn’t been pulled over by that point so, I procrastinated. Well I shit you not, no more than ten minutes after he points that out, I get pulled over for a broken brake light. So there I am with no plates, no Oregon registration, a California registration that’s a year expired, no Oregon license, a California license that was set to expire in a week (they hate Cali’ folks here in Oregon) AND no proof of insurance. Got off with ticket for no proof of insurance and told to register my car. You can be sure my ass was at the DMV the next day. And also got the insurance ticket dropped later by proving I was insured at the time of the ticket. So yeah, being a girl helps. Or I’m just damn lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/58 "2009-01-16T06:47:16Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > And the answer was…?😕 Evidently I approached an intersection where there were 6-7 cars stacked in the right lane at light that just turned green. I moved into the left lane which was completely empty so I would not have to stop. Evidently he felt my lane change wasn’t “safe” as I came too close to the stopped car. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/59 "2009-01-16T07:32:53Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > I’m going to also chime in that being a girl helps alot. Not always. A friend of mine was driving in NJ and it’s pretty universally agreed upon that she’s a hot chick. Anyway, she had Texas registration, which takes the form of a sticker on the windshield. The cops berated her for 20 minues. They kept asking for registration papers, and she kept pointing to the sticker. Maybe they thought they were going to ‘trick’ her into giving them the ‘real’ registration? After all that, they gave her a ticket for driving without registration. She paid it, because if she contested it, she would still have to pay court costs, which IIRC, was over half the cost of the ticket anyway, and she didn’t feel it was worth the headache. ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036/60 "2009-01-16T07:36:13Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > You live next to Baghdad? No, _under_ your location. He lives next to Posts, California. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-why-i-stopped-you-sir-and-other-questions-about-police-procedures/481036.md?page=4)