For the average motorist, looking in the rearview mirror and seeing the flashing lights of a police car is not a pleasant experience. Best case scenario, you will waste 15 to 30 minutes or your time while the officer checks your license, registration, and insurance and decides whether or not to write you a ticket. Worst case scenario, you end up being arrested, taken to jail, and charged with a criminal offense. Although there is no sure-fire way to avoid being pulled over while driving, an Omaha criminal defense attorney offers some tips for drivers that may help you avoid being stopped.
- Inspect your vehicle on a regular basis. One of the most common reasons (or pretexts) law enforcement officers give for pulling over a vehicle is for a minor vehicle infraction, such as a tail light out, license plate light not working, or a loud muffler. The best way to eliminate this as a reason for your to be pulled over is to inspect your vehicle on a regular basis to make sure everything is working and complies with the law.
- Check the status of your license on a regular basis. Do you know when your license expires? If you are like many people, you probably don’t know. If an officer is behind you, he/she may call in your vehicle and check the license status of the registered owner. If there is anything wrong with the status of your license, you will get stopped. To avoid this, make sure you check the status of your license on a regular basis.
- Choose your vehicle wisely. This one is simple. That flashy sports car you have that makes everyone notice you…also works as a beacon for law enforcement officers.
- Obey the traffic laws. Also simple…the slightest infraction gives an officer the legal justification necessary to stop you. Common things motorists forget to do include signaling when changing lanes, coming to a complete stop at a stop light/sign, and tailgating.
- Don’t drive too slow. This is often a huge red flag for officers that a motorist is under the influence and/or worried about getting stopped. While you shouldn’t drive too far over the posted speed limit, driving under the limit can also get you stopped.
- Avoid well known drug thoroughfares. Certain interstates are commonly used to transport drugs – and law enforcement officers are well aware of which roads they are. In Nebraska, for example, the I-80 corridor is a well-known drug route. Consequently, you are more likely to be stopped if you are traveling on I-80 than on other similar roadways.
- Avoid driving during bar closing time. Although there are plenty of legitimate reasons to be out driving in the middle of the night, law enforcement officers become suspicious when people are driving around the time the bars close. Therefore, you are much more likely to be stopped at that time.
- Stay off the roads on holidays. This is often impossible if you plan to visit family or friends and your schedule only allows you to travel on certain days; however, if you do have some flexibility, stay off the roads on major holidays. Law enforcement agencies typically schedule enforcement efforts over major holiday periods, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Memorial and Labor Day week-ends.
Although there is no guarantee that following these tips will completely prevent you from being pulled over while driving, they will certainly decrease the likelihood of being stopped.
Contact an Omaha Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in the State of Nebraska and you are unable to pay the current bond set in your case, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced Nebraska criminal defense attorney right away. In Nebraska contact Petersen Criminal Defense Law 24 hours a day at 402-509-8070 to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Attorney Petersen was invited to join the National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD) organization in 2013. NAFDD vets thousands of lawyers and only chooses those who have achieved stellar results in DUI defense cases. Attorney Petersen was named one of the Top 50 defense attorneys in Nebraska out of more than 5,000.
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