What is the etiquette for a traffic stop? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

dhwingert · 08-13-2007, 11:39 AM

I've been riding for all of two months and was wondering if an officer could tell me what the etiquette for getting pulled over while riding is. Do I get off the bike? Take off my helmet?

Just curious.

stanley4512 · 08-13-2007, 11:57 AM

I'm not an Officer, but if I think if you're stopped, you should shut off the engine, and keep your hands visible (on the grips). If you keep your insurance & ownership in the saddlebags (like I do), tell the Officer where they are first. That way, he won't think you're jumping off the bike to run away, and he won't think you're trying to retrieve a weapon from the bags. Don't get off the bike to get them until he/she is there with you. I've had lots of dealings with Cops, both positive and negative. Be cool, and usually they'll be cool too. You might not get that ticket after all. Maybe just the famous "warning". But remember...if you're a jerk or mouthy, you should expect a ticket for sure. That's my opinion anyway.

BWalker · 08-13-2007, 12:16 PM

This is something you may want to post in the General forum. A lot more traffic up there and I am sure a lot of people would be interested. I know I am.

motor6 · 08-13-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanley4512

I'm not an Officer, but if I think if you're stopped, you should shut off the engine, and keep your hands visible (on the grips). If you keep your insurance & ownership in the saddlebags (like I do), tell the Officer where they are first. That way, he won't think you're jumping off the bike to run away, and he won't think you're trying to retrieve a weapon from the bags. Don't get off the bike to get them until he/she is there with you. I've had lots of dealings with Cops, both positive and negative. Be cool, and usually they'll be cool too. You might not get that ticket after all. Maybe just the famous "warning". But remember...if you're a jerk or mouthy, you should expect a ticket for sure. That's my opinion anyway.

I am a Cop and I couldn't have put it better.
Different states, different Cops etc. prefer different ways....but you put it about the best I've seen.

nixdad · 08-13-2007, 12:33 PM

First off, when you get lit up, pull to the right. Sounds like common sense, but I've had all types just slam on their brakes, pull to the right and some just slow down waiting for me to go around them.

When you pull over, turn off the bike. If you're on a bike with loud pipes, I can't hear what you're saying and you can't hear what I'm saying. If you have ear plugs in, take them out. Same goes for an Ipod.

If you're wearing a 3/4 or ful face helmet, I prefer if you take it off. If you're wearing shades, take them off initially. It shows me that you are not trying to hide your eyes because you're drunk or high.

Now for the imprtant part. Keep your hands visible. Don't go making any fast moves to the inside of your jacket. If you're wearing a jacket and it covers your waistband, don't make any quick moves toward your back pocket to retrieve your wallet. You may find yourself dumped off your bike ery quickly. Either keep your hands on your lap or on your handle bars.

Here's another thing. When an officer walks up to you, don't say,"Why'd you pull me over" or "What did I do wrong"? Just gets us off on the wrong foot. The officer will tell you what you did wrong.

Be smart. Don't be a smart ass. That's almost a guarantee for you to get cited. There are officers out there that give attitude tickets.

Use common sense and don't try to BS us. We can read it a mile away.

Hope this helps, both of us.

BWalker · 08-13-2007, 12:41 PM

Would y'all recommend pretty much the same at a license check. Turn off bike, take off glasses and helmet, keep hands in sight until asked for license, etc. ???

nixdad · 08-13-2007, 12:46 PM

A license check? If that is what I think it is, then yes. I assume they can stop you just to see if you have a valid driver license?

BWalker · 08-13-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nixdad

A license check? If that is what I think it is, then yes. I assume they can stop you just to see if you have a valid driver license?

Yep, around here they will set up a license check with several officers checking for valid licenses, tags, inspections, etc. Thanks for the info.

garyad · 08-13-2007, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWalker

Yep, around here they will set up a license check with several officers checking for valid licenses, tags, inspections, etc. Thanks for the info.

A license check? Sounds like Nazi Germany.

dhwingert · 08-13-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nixdad

Hope this helps, both of us.

Yep. Thanks!

Whether I get a ticket or not I want the whole thing to be as routine a non-event as possible.

Roadking96 · 08-13-2007, 01:44 PM

I have been pulled over many times by state, county and local LEO's in the last 20 years of riding. Never a ticket, and only 2 times met up with a officer who was just plain having a bad day. I just decided to let them rant and went on my way with ' a warning.'
I have been told several times by a LEO that I did the correct thing placing Both hands on the handlebars and KEEPING THEM THere.
Just my 2 cents worth...

nixdad · 08-13-2007, 02:39 PM

Let me add one more thing. If you are carrying a concealed weapon, tell the officer up front. It will negate any surprises and you probably won't find yourself proned out on the ground, and then cuffed and stuffed in the back of a patrol car. Just let the officer know that you are carrying a concealed weapon and tell the officer where it is located on your person. It's obvious to tell you that while you're advising the officer, keep your hands plainly visible. Jsut remember, the least amount of surprises, the better.

dhwingert · 08-13-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nixdad

Let me add one more thing. If you are carrying a concealed weapon, tell the officer up front. It will negate any surprises and you probably won't find yourself proned out on the ground, and then cuffed and stuffed in the back of a patrol car. Just let the officer know that you are carrying a concealed weapon and tell the officer where it is located on your person. It's obvious to tell you that while you're advising the officer, keep your hands plainly visible. Jsut remember, the least amount of surprises, the better.

In my state it is an infraction to not inform an officer immediately if you are carrying. They can tell when they run your license plate that the vehicle is registered to someone with a cpl regardless so I tell them I have a cpl even if I'm not carrying because it will be the first question otherwise.

R-RatedCustoms · 08-13-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhwingert

In my state it is an infraction to not inform an officer immediately if you are carrying. They can tell when they run your license plate that the vehicle is registered to someone with a cpl regardless so I tell them I have a cpl even if I'm not carrying because it will be the first question otherwise.

We all had better check our state laws on this one. Tennessee specifically instructs us to surrender the weapon permit with the license, registration, proof of insurance; and inform the officer if you actually have the weapon on you or not.

Coming from 11 years LEO time, I learned not count on my dispatcher to tell me much since computers go down, there is other radio traffic, etc.

So why wait to bring up where the weapon is? At least being up front settles it.

As for the license check, I guess take off the helmet as long as your are not going to be holding up traffic when they cut you loose. Some THP and local run their checks on two lane straight aways with no pull offs.

sdb29 · 08-13-2007, 11:18 PM

The only thing I can add is back in the day when i started on the job (1981)there was a training bulletin that indicated some outlaw bikers were concealing a device inside the left grip that consisted of a 12 guage shotgun shell and a spring loaded firing pin of some kind. Releasing a lever of some kind on the left grip area would cause this shotgun shell to discharge. The bulletin at the time warned officers to watch out for bikers who were pointing the end of the left grip towards them, because the potential for injury existed.
Keeping your hands on the grips is a good idea, but you might want to consider resting your palms on the grips and keeping your fingers spread and slightly raised and away from any controls on the bars, especially the left one. I haven't seen a similar training bulletin in over twenty years, but you may run into a dinosoar like myself who remembers it- so keep your fingers spread, and don't be moving the bars/front end as I walk up on you.
Also there was another one about dagger blades welded inside gas tank caps. Don't fiddle with them while i'm within arms reach of you..