No Need to Speed Campaigns -- What to do if you find yourself pulled over

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The 'No Need 2 Speed' campaign commenced this week in North Carolina.  The State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies are cracking down on speeding.

“I urge drivers to slow down and obey the speed limit,” said Governor's Highway Safety Program director Becky Wallace. “For every 10 miles per hour you drive over 50 mph, you double your chances of dying or being seriously injured.”

Officers will focus their efforts on interstates and major four-lane highways across the state. During the 'No Need 2 Speed' campaign in November 2010, state and local law enforcement agencies cited 26,870 motorists for speeding.

Not sure what to do if you get pulled over?  Here are some tips your friends at SpotCrime have put together for you:
  • Pull over as fast as you can, if you are on the highway, pull onto the right hand side of the road
  • Put your car in park, roll your window down and turn off your engine
  • Leave your hands on the steering wheel, do NOT begin to rummage through your car looking for your license and registration -- officers are taught to look for suspicious behavior at traffic stops, this may seem suspicious to them!
  • If you have been pulled over by an unmarked car or the officer is out of uniform, you have the right to ask for identification or for him to call for back up (he should have his identification or badge on him)
  • Be polite.  Not sure if you'd like to be polite?  Think about this: The officer has already pulled you over and probably already made up their mind on whether or not they'd like to give you a ticket.  Arguing or being rude could only make the situation worse.  You can offer an excuse, but I'm sure they've already heard 10 similar excuses by the time they had their lunch break.
  • Do not admit guilt, simply answer "yes" or "no".  Anything you say could be used against you in court (now a days, most officers and their cars are equipped video and recorder)
  • Do not attempt to bribe an officer.  Do not attempt to pay for the ticket on the spot, your innocent offer could be taken as bribery.
  • An officer needs probable cause in order to search your car.  This can range from movement in the vehicle when they first pulled you over (why it's important to keep your hands on the wheel when you are first pulled over) to smelling traces of alcohol or drugs.
  • If an officer asks to search your car, co operate.
  • Depending on the state, an officer might ask you to sign your ticket.  This is not an admission of guilt, it just means that you agree to appear in court and pay the fine.
  • Don't act like this lady:
Stay safe, follow the speed limit!   Sign up for your local crime alert at SpotCrime or MyLocalCrime

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