# Getting stopped for traffic violation: Question about common LEO behaviour and questions. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 25, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557 "2014-09-25T20:45:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/21 "2014-09-26T13:41:43Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > IANAL, but any attorney will tell you that you should never admit to an LEO that you’ve committed a crime. In many jurisdictions traffic offenses are civil infractions, rather than crimes. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/22 "2014-09-26T13:43:07Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I should preface this by saying I am not often stopped by the police, for anything. My last traffic ticket was only the second in 19 years, despite having a somewhat lead foot. 😉 However I’ve also been stopped a handful of times for speeding, then let go with only a friendly warning. > > But the [Pit thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=17760709#post17760709) about a black guy being shot by a cop for no apparent reason, plus a conversation today with a friend about the last time I got stopped for a speeding ticket in November 2012\*, got me wondering again. > > There seems to be a script that police officers follow. At least for middle-aged white women who do not step out of the vehicle when stopped. > > Where are you coming from? > What were you doing there? > Where are you headed? > [shining flashlight in back seat] Are you alone in the vehicle? > Do you know why I pulled you over/how fast you were going? > Is the dog OK? (Last time, I had my rather large and overly-friendly Rottweiler with me, which clearly made the cop nervous.) 😃 There is a script, but it bears absolutely no resemblance to what you have here and it is used for everyone, regardless of age, gender or skin color. > [@](#): > > The seven-step violator contact method: > > 1. Greeting and identification of the police agency: > The greeting may be accomplished in the most natural way for the officers. They may introduce themselves, or use only a “Good Morning,” “How do you do?” or other natural greeting. This is a courtesy we owe to every citizen stopped. Regardless of whether the officers are in a marked car and in uniform, they should identify themselves and name the agency. The objectives in the greeting are to employ business courtesy, to help make the subject feel at ease, and to establish a common ground free of unnatural actions, superiority, or deference. Smile and speak in a quiet voice. Remember there are many citizens and a great number may not reside in the locale and therefore do not recognize the uniforms. A greeting and identification of the agency represented are important, not only to the violator, but to the success of the contact. > > 2. Statement of violation committed: > The officers owe the driver the courtesy of telling him/her at once the reason s/he has been stopped. This step should emphasize the seriousness of the violation and serve to create a proper effect upon the violator. If the case is one of speeding, the officers should ascertain whether attending circumstances might morally justify such speed to a normal, prudent person. After being told of the violation for which s/he has been stopped, the question, “Is there any reason for your excessive rate of speed?,” offers the subject an opportunity to justify his/her actions if a reason exists, and if none, places him/her in a position of admitting the violation. However, with the above exception, one should refrain from asking questions concerning the subject’s knowledge of the violation committed. Remarks made by the officer should be in the form of a statement rather than a question. > > 3. Identification of driver and check of conditions of violator and vehicle: > The officer should identify every violator stopped by requesting his/her driver’s license. If the subject does not have license, the officer should ask for other identification, preferably one that carries the subject’s description. If the subject has none, the officer should write down a brief description of the person: age, height, weight, eyes, hair, marks, and address. The officer, after identifying the subject, should call him/her by name during the remainder of the interview. Should a violator hand an operator’s license to the officer in a purse or billfold, have him/her remove the license themselves so that no accusations can be made about loss of money or important papers. A close comparison should be made between the description of the individual and the description of the subject on the driver’s license. > > 4. Statement of action to be taken: > The officer should make a clear statement, in a firm but calm manner that will leave no doubt as to the action planned. Example: “You will be charged with the offense of speeding in the Justice of the Peace Court in Austin. You will be given ten (10) days (Specify Procedure) in which to answer this charge. You are going to be charged with the offense of passing with insufficient clearance. You will be warned for the violation, which you have committed. A record of this violation has been made and we ask that you cooperate by driving your vehicle in compliance with traffic regulations.” Patrol officers should practice the technique of refraining from using the work “I” during the violator interview. Place the emphasis on the violator, and the violation committed, by using the word “you.” When the patrol officer states that, “I am going to…,” the action shifts from the violation committed to the action to be taken by the officer and affords the violator an opportunity to shift the blame from the offense committed to the action taken by the arresting officer. When the “you” technique is practiced, much unpleasantness is avoided. > > 5. Take that action: > Write the citation, take the violator into custody, or call his/her attention to the seriousness of the violation and possible consequences (warning), therefore performing the action in the manner the officer has decided. > > 6. Explain what the violator must do: > Explain to the violator exactly what action s/he must take. That is, (s)he must get into the patrol car, follow the patrol car, appear at a certain court by a certain time and before a certain Magistrate, or refrain from repeating the violation. A short explanation serves to dispel much uncertainty in the mind of the violator. Make the explanation clear and be sure the violator understands. Remember, s/he may not be familiar with the courts and the locations involved as you are. A little extra time here may result in more appearances on time and less warrant service. > > 7. Leave: > Closing the contact with the violator is awkward for many officers. It is an opportunity to create a feeling of friendliness if the proper technique is used. Gloating attitude should be avoided. An expression of real friendliness by the officer and an attitude of helpfulness and service are desired. Do not overdo it, however; the officer should never give the subject any reason to think that (s)he is sorry for giving the violator a ticket and that s/he now wishes to “oil the water.” The leave taking should be as firm and impersonal as the approach. A “Good Afternoon” or “Good Luck” spoken in a sincere, yet business-like tone is sufficient. When the violator contact has been broken, immediately return to the patrol car. This was exactly what I was taught when I went through the police academy back in the mid-70s, and it hasn’t changed. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/23 "2014-09-26T13:57:14Z")
I was pulled over once in a small town not far from my work and was asked where I was headed. I said I was headed into town for lunch. Then the cop asked where I was planning on getting lunch, so I told him the name of the restaurant. I think I even volunteered something like “You know, the place with the big pizza slices” to reinforce that I wasn’t lying about my destination. After that, I got let off with a warning. For good or ill, I assume that a large part of that was because he decided I was there to spend money in the local economy as opposed to just breaking traffic laws as I passed through from Point A to Point B. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/24 "2014-09-26T14:11:26Z")
“Do you know why I pulled you over?” Yes, I know how hard it can to meet people, especially if you have an alternative lifestyle. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/25 "2014-09-26T14:18:08Z")
I had a weird one once. And LEOs can give a possible explanation for this? I25, near the Wyoming border, appx 6 years ago. AZ plates. I had seen a LOT of troopers on the highway in both directions, both driving and with cars pulled over. Looked like a max effort speeding campaign was going on. Suddenly, I see a trooper behind me, so I pull over. He stated plainly that he clocked be at 85! No way was I doing that. I actually laughed out loud. There’s no way he made that mistake. He was very polite and friendly, and let me go. No overtly suspicious looks, no asking to search the car. Now, I had always heard the troopers don’t waste their time giving warnings. If they give you a ticket, they’re going to do it, and do it quickly. Very efficient. You think they were looking for someone/something specific? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/26 "2014-09-26T14:18:55Z")
“Do you know why I pulled you over?” To compliment me on my fine driving skills? ---
**Author:** ![lawbuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/27 "2014-09-26T14:28:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > In many jurisdictions traffic offenses are civil infractions, rather than crimes. In Ohio, the Constitution gives Municipalities the right to classify even a minor offense such as rolling through a stop sign, etc. a Misdemeanor of the 1st degree, but most mirror state law. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/28 "2014-09-26T16:22:04Z")
In 40 years of driving all around the US, including a lot of years of driving young, stupid, and fast, I’ve never had a traffic stop which deviated from the basic Academy script provided by **Clothahump**. No officer has ever asked where I’m going, where I work, or any other ancillary BS. About the only variation I’ve seen is “Do you know why I stopped you?” vs. “I stopped you for doing over 85 in a 65 mph zone.” ---
**Author:** ![MostlyUseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/29 "2014-09-26T16:57:07Z")
Believe it or not, most of the cops I worked with could spot a serious felon on site. I guess there was just something about their manner. As for the questions posed by the OP, I suspect that being on an industrial road at 11pm on a Saturday night might lead the cop to think possible burglar of businesses. I know that would be my first thought and I might keep you talking just to eyeball the inside of the car or if you would slip up. Additionally, they might be waiting for wants and warrants to come back from the dispatcher. They haven’t always had computers in the car to do your own W&W. ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/30 "2014-09-26T17:03:28Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Suddenly, I see a trooper behind me, so I pull over. He stated plainly that he clocked be at 85! No way was I doing that. I actually laughed out loud. There’s no way he made that mistake. > > He was very polite and friendly, and let me go. No overtly suspicious looks, no asking to search the car. > > … > > You think they were looking for someone/something specific? You, your vehicle, or your location will sometimes fit a particular “suspicious” category to the local LEOs completely unbeknownst to you. Though I don’t know the particulars, it seem obvious that this allows them to pull you over. BUT, they won’t necesarilly be truthful in telling you why they did… depending on how dangerous it might be for them they may tell the truth or they may give you a BS line (they are allowed to lie remember). If they do lie to you at the road side, I assume they’ll report the real reason for the stop in their paperwork rather than the BS reason they quoted you at the time. I had two encounters and was given the same BS line both times: “can you tell me why your plate is registered to a _ **completely different make/modle vehicle** _?” I know the second was a blatant lie because the guy couldn’t even see my plate as I was parked backed against a fence (rear plates only here). Same result both times… after they took my registration back to their cruiser they came back with a “theres no problem” line and left. In reality I was approached because being a young male alone in a big truck was suspicisous at the time and place; they were checking my license and record for any issue or warrents. No big deal. Another time I was approached while parked by a very friendly LEO who after a few simple questions came right out and told me he came over because the way I was parked by myself in the corner of a large parking lot rather than near the handful of other vehicles near the entrance was suspicious… that and they did have problems with kids parking in that lot and getting wasted. ---
**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:** [September 26, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/31 "2014-09-26T17:12:36Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > “Do you know why I pulled you over?” > > Yes, I know how hard it can to meet people, especially if you have an alternative lifestyle. You can’t always talk yourself out of a ticket but you can always talk yourself into one. > [@DCnDC](#): > > [hijack]Question: if you’re out on the road, on duty or not, and you see something a “black and white” would normally pull someone over for, what do you do? Does it depend on the egregiousness of the offense? Do you just call someone else to deal with it?[/hijack] The car I drive has lights and sirens. It’s just unmarked. If I see anything egregious I can and have pulled people over. It is true that I don’t have a ticket book. The court audits the unwritten tickets and does not like having any missing. You only sign for the amount you think you will need for a few weeks or a month. But nothing is stopping me from asking another officer to swing by with a ticket book so I can write one. It’s just that my current duties don’t have me patrolling so I’m not looking for violations. Off duty I ignore it unless I see someone who likes like a danger to himself or others. Like an obvious impaired driver. Then I call 911 like everyone else. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I had a weird one once. And LEOs can give a possible explanation for this? > > I25, near the Wyoming border, appx 6 years ago. AZ plates. I had seen a LOT of troopers on the highway in both directions, both driving and with cars pulled over. Looked like a max effort speeding campaign was going on. > > Suddenly, I see a trooper behind me, so I pull over. He stated plainly that he clocked be at 85! No way was I doing that. I actually laughed out loud. There’s no way he made that mistake. > > He was very polite and friendly, and let me go. No overtly suspicious looks, no asking to search the car. > > Now, I had always heard the troopers don’t waste their time giving warnings. If they give you a ticket, they’re going to do it, and do it quickly. Very efficient. > > You think they were looking for someone/something specific? I have no idea. But I do know that there is one highway in NJ (195) that often has a trooper seemingly every 10 feet. Coincidentally the NJ State Police Academy is at one end of that highway. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/32 "2014-09-26T18:13:46Z")
> [@MostlyUseless](#): > > Believe it or not, most of the cops I worked with could spot a serious felon on site. Well, if the site is a maximum security prison, it shouldn’t be that difficult. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/33 "2014-09-26T18:16:35Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > IANAL, but any attorney will tell you that you should never admit to an LEO that you’ve committed a crime. The rationale behind the “don’t talk to the cops” bit is that if you do get charged with a crime, there’s little chance of anything you say to them helping you (it’ll just not get mentioned or get spun in court) and a good chance of you saying something incriminating. It’s a _little_ bit different with just a regular old traffic stop because the officer does usually have some discretion about whether to actually write you a ticket or not. There probably are some situations where 'fessing up and being sorry about it will lead to not getting a ticket, but I wouldn’t count on it being the norm. Being a jerk (albeit an entirely within your constitutional rights jerk) like the guy in **Acsenray** ’s link is pretty much guaranteed to get you a ticket, though. Maybe even some extra ones. The key is to try to walk a fine line where you’re being as polite and helpful as you can but while still trying to avoid actually admitting anything. ---
**Author:** ![Kiber](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiber/32/317_2.png) [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/34 "2014-09-26T19:46:47Z")
I thought I’d share a data point which may not be relevant. The only time I’ve gone through a DUI checkpoint, I was on my way home from work at around 2:00 am Saturday night / Sunday morning. I pulled up and waited for the officer to ask for my drivers license and registration. I provided both and he walked away for a few minutes. After 1-2 minutes he returned, handed back my documents, and said I was free to go. What surprised me at the time was that he didn’t ask me any questions beyond the request for documentation. Didn’t ask if I’d been drinking. Didn’t ask where I was coming from or where I was going. On reflection though - I realized that I hadn’t said a single word the entire time. It wasn’t anything conscious - I just gave him what he wanted as quickly as I could with the confidence that I had done nothing wrong and would ultimately be free to go. On reflection, though - I wonder if people who have had a few drinks tend to be overly chatty, perhaps trying to charm the officer. Is being overly chatty considered an indicator that perhaps someone has been drinking? Surely LEOs have a list of “symptoms” of drinking that they look for. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/35 "2014-09-26T19:57:13Z")
I’ve had police ask me where I work during a traffic stop. Also asked where I was coming from, going to, what I did for a living, why I was driving so late, etc. Late night, pulled over and he said I was going 25+ over the speed limit, weaving in and out of the lane, crossing the median, swerving, etc. I was doing none of those things, and was in cruise control at the speed limit with the family in the car so not even close to speeding. Asked me to step out of the vehicle while his partner looked in my vehicle. Then he let me go with no ticket written. I suspect the story was a ruse to see if I was running drugs or something. Who doesn’t write a ticket if all of those violations were occurring? That’s a pretty dick move. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/36 "2014-09-26T20:40:52Z")
I think that a lot of your experiences with the police depend upon the area the you are driving in, it shouldn’t but it does. A traffic stop is one of the most dangerous situations a police officer can find himself in. The most dangerous is responding to a domestic dispute where both parties can turn their anger toward the officer. My experiences with the police are few and I live in a rural area where I am more likely to run into the Officer Friendly type. Attitude mattered when I was stopped. Haven’t been stopped in years despite driving my hot car as fast as traffic allows. A couple of encounters: I was about 25 and had a little homegrown pot in my pocket, my passenger had just bought a large bag of Columbian so we pulled over to the side of the road to roll one up. Officer Friendly pulled in behind us to check for car trouble. He asked for my license and the weed. I gave him my little bit and he went back to run my info. Came back and handed my license and the empty baggie back to me and said, “You boys go home” End of incident. He did not check my car or passenger because I think he felt that I had honestly handed over the pot I had. This was before pot was decriminalized in my state. Second time, also about 25 years old, I was speeding in an old VW bug. We all open beers and tried to hide them. When I got stopped one of my asshole friends in the back seat started flipping shit to the cop. I turned around and said, “Shut up! This is my ticket!” Cop repressed a laugh, checked my license and sent us on our way. I think he appreciated my cooperation. The last time I was stopped, maybe 20 years ago, I was driving in a two land highway with a double yellow center line indicating no passing. But it was tourist season and the guy ahead of me was doing about 35 mph on a road where traffic should be moving about 62. He had quite a parade backed up behind him, So I passed and then noticed in my rear mirror a state trouper about 5 cars back in the line. He waited another 5 miles until it was safe to pull me over. When he asked if I knew why he stopped me I said, “Because I didn’t see you back there.” He cited me for passing in a no passing zone, but I got the impression that I was just because it was a blatant violation. In an area of higher crime rate and thus more danger to the officer, you are not going to have the same experiences obviously. Three of my friends in what I would call extended family are police officers. A woman sheriff deputy and a guy who was recently promoted to police chief in a small town would fall into the Officer Friendly category. The other small town cop is an aggressive type who wears his weapon during family picnics, he I worry about. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/37 "2014-09-26T21:46:35Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > The last time I was stopped, maybe 20 years ago, I was driving in a two land highway with a double yellow center line indicating no passing. But it was tourist season and the guy ahead of me was doing about 35 mph on a road where traffic should be moving about 62. He had quite a parade backed up behind him, So I passed and then noticed in my rear mirror a state trouper about 5 cars back in the line. He waited another 5 miles until it was safe to pull me over. When he asked if I knew why he stopped me I said, “Because I didn’t see you back there.” He cited me for passing in a no passing zone, but I got the impression that I was just because it was a blatant violation. He should have pulled over the old fart in front for going too slow for conditions. I and a friend might have narrowly avoided having a gun pushed into our face once-a few years ago, he was driving my Civic SI-something he was nervous about a bit because it requires a bit of finesse to drive it well. Anyway, he’s 3 below the limit on the interstate, we get lit up, I tell him that they are just profiling us, and he didn’t do anything ticketable. Trooper walks up, takes one look, and says, “Oh, you are free to go,” and walks away. Undoubtedly there was another SI out there who was probably running drugs or something. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/38 "2014-09-26T22:38:44Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > I think that a lot of your experiences with the police depend upon the area the you are driving in, it shouldn’t but it does. A traffic stop is one of the most dangerous situations a police officer can find himself in. The most dangerous is responding to a domestic dispute where both parties can turn their anger toward the officer. I live just north of [Murder Capital USA](http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/14/despite-recent-shootings-chicago-nowhere-near-u-s-murder-capital/), Flint Michigan. So I definitely understand that it’s a dangerous job for cops here but actually in the city and bad areas, they tend not to stop people for traffic violations. Because they are woefully understaffed and are usually dealing with more serious crimes. I have never been stopped in the city of Flint, but in some of the more affluent neighboring cities, getting pulled over for burned-out license plate lights and such is common. It occurred to me that if I am pulled over during the work day, it’s fairly apparent what I am doing for a living (painting contractor, so van with ladder racks and obviously, looking like a painter. 🙂 ) So no need for a cop to ask about where I work or what I do. And thank you to **Clothahump** for the detailed training info. I can’t say I’ve ever had a cop follow that script precisely, but it’s good to know that at least some jurisdictions are trying to instill good customer relations, as it were. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557/39 "2014-09-27T01:05:44Z")
If the LEO asks those questions, they are to gauge your responses to see if you are nervous or tell inconsistent stories. Especially if you have a passenger that answers the questions differently than you do. That might give them probable cause for a search of your vehicle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-stopped-for-traffic-violation-question-about-common-leo-behaviour-and-questions/699557.md?page=1)