Two things not to do on a traffic stop

JW and I were parked in a dark gas station parking lot waiting for a vehicle to make the illegal left turn at a nearby intersection. As we were waiting, without slowing down at all, a small Nissan blasted through the parking lot to avoid making the illegal left turn. Well, that is just as illegal as making the illegal turn, so JW initiated a traffic stop. We walked up to find a young female talking on her cell phone. JW told her to end the conversation, which she did reluctantly. JW then asked for her license and insurance. She handed over her license and then said that this was not her car. JW again asked her for her insurance. She snapped back that her insurance was in her car but this was a friend's car. So, does your friend have insurance? She did not know. She asked if she could call her friend to find out. I said sure, hang tight, and we will be back in a minute.

We returned to the patrol vehicle so that JW could write the citation. As we are sitting there and JW is messing with the computer, I noticed that she was getting out of her vehicle. I tell JW what she is doing and he opened his door and told her to sit back down. She stopped walking and then dramatically rolled her eyes at him. At that point JW said in a stern voice like he was talking to an obstinate child, "do what I tell you you to do!" She huffed, turned around, and returned to her vehicle. It took me awhile to stop laughing. The rest of the traffic stop was uneventful.

A couple of things to take from this traffic stop. If you are on the phone when the police stop you, at the very least, sit the phone down until the officer is finished talking to you. Secondly, and more importantly, if you do not want a pistol pointed at you, stay in your vehicle unless you are specifically instructed otherwise by the officer. This concludes today's helpful tips.

Posted via email from will7079's posterous