Pull over as soon as possible. As soon as you even think that you might be the one that the highway patrol car is after, pull over. This shows that you have proper respect for emergency vehicles and understand the law. Pulling over doesn’t necessarily mean to the officer that you’re admitting guilt. Police officers in the USA will be in marked cars and will have the proper uniform on. The officer will not ask for money at the time you are pulled over. You will receive a ticket with the information about how to pay this through the mail. An Office can decide to not issue a ticket with a fine and could instead give a “warning” ticket.DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. Roll your window down and wait for the officer to walk to the window.
Always pull over to the right. Always pull over on the right side of the roadway. On divided highways, signal and safely move over to the far right lane, and then to the shoulder. When you come to a complete stop, choose a section of roadway that has a full shoulder, without guardrails if possible. Pulling over on the left may obstruct traffic, and pulling over next to a guardrail may make it difficult for the officer to safely approach your car. It’s ok to drive a little distance to find a good, safe place to pull over. SLOW DOWN, put your right blinker on, and SLOWLY move to next safe place.
Know where your paperwork is. Normally, when a police officer first pulls you over, he/she will ask for your license, registration, and insurance. Keep these and the following documents in all of the cars you will be driving. Let the police office know that your documents are in the glove compartment. Ask for permission to get them or ask the police office to get them if he would prefer to do it himself. An au pair will need the following items handy at all times in every glove compartment in every car driven.
1. You need a copy of your passport, not the original.
2. You need a copy of your current DS-2019 document. This is especially important if you are a Year 2 au pair.
3. Your international Driver’s license if you have one.
5. Your medical insurance card information with host family’s address.
6. Your host family car insurance information. It is illegal to drive without proof of car insurance in the USA.
7. YOUR Participation letter printed from your AP portal. Be prepared to explain your role as an Au Pair and that you are here on a J-1 visa for your first year or for an extension term.
Make the officer feel safe. Turn your dome light on at night. Always keep your hands in plain sight. Don’t make any sudden movements. Roll your window down all the way. STAY in the car. Use common sense and don’t put the officer in an uncomfortable situation.
Let the officer talk first. Don’t blurt out things that could incriminate you. Keep your calm, even if you’re upset about being stopped. Don’t volunteer information, like how fast you thought you were going. The officer may not be pulling you over for what you think he is. Let him talk to you first. React kindly and you may have more of a chance to be sent on your way without a ticket.
Don’t argue with the officer. Challenging the officer is a recipe for disaster and likely means that you will be written up for the full offense, and the officer will be less likely to opt for a compromise in court. If you are issued a ticket and wish to contest it, set a date in court.
If you are ticketed: Tell your host family immediately. Not telling your host family could result in a rematch. Call the number on the ticket and find out if you will need to appear in person in court or if you should send a check through the mail. Make copies of the ticket and save any future receipts of payment. Ask for assistance from your host family to properly send the payment in the mail.
adapted from :
TCC Tip: Hints for Speeders
What to do when you’re pulled over for speeding
by Bengt Halvorson (2006-06-26)
More tips and information about driving can be found at www.thecarconnection.com/shoppers/drivintipsS172.html