Six Things Never to Say to a Police Officer During a Traffic Stop

Motorists rarely talk their way out of traffic tickets — but they do sometimes talk their way into them. They say things that annoy or anger police officers who might otherwise have let them off with a warning. Six things never to say to a police officer when you’re pulled over…

“Whatever.” Officers feel disrespected when drivers dismiss them with a casual “whatever.” That disrespect virtually ensures that they will receive tickets.

“I wasn’t speeding.” Police officers are lied to so often that they tend to assume claims such as “I wasn’t speeding” or “I didn’t run that light” are dishonest. They even might interpret such denials as accusations that they are lying or incompetent. Drivers are more likely to be let off with warnings when they admit that they did something wrong. Do not admit to an infraction if you truly believe you are innocent, however.

“I know the mayor.” Never say to a police officer, “I know the mayor,” “I know your captain” or “I know my rights.” Police officers aren’t afraid of your powerful friends, and attempting such a power play increases the odds that the officer will write a ticket.

“I’m calling my lawyer.” Saying that you intend to call your lawyer will not scare a police officer — it will just annoy him/her. Police officers deal with lawyers all the time and are not frightened by them. It’s even worse to tell a police officer that you are a lawyer or are married to one — some police officers may relish the opportunity to write you a ticket.

“I’m headed to the DMV.” You would be amazed how often police officers hear, “I’m headed to the inspection station” or “to the DMV” when they pull over a vehicle that has an expired inspection sticker or registration. They hear it so often, in fact, that they assume it’s a lie. The one “I’m headed to” that might get you out of a ticket is “I’m headed to the hospital” — but only if someone in the car truly looks injured, ill or about to give birth and only if you actually intend to drive to the hospital.

“Others were driving faster.” The fact that many drivers break the rules doesn’t mean that there aren’t any rules. A police officer wouldn’t let a burglar go just because other burglars have gotten away with their crimes. Making this argument shows a lack of contrition, increasing the odds that the officer will write a ticket.