I will assume that when the time comes, each of you will pass a state driver’s test. Armed with a license you will discover an additional sense of empowerment. Much of life is a series of steps forward and upward. Steady advances which are age appropriate are best. Many individuals get in trouble because of their own impatience to grow up too fast without a solid base. They get wobbly. Don’t get wobbly.
A driver’s license is a grand milestone in life. It represents a modicum of freedom tempered with huge responsibility. Driving is always serious business. I’ve had my license for 62 years without a moving violation on my driver’s record. It’s not easy and undoubtedly requires a lot of luck also. Don’t under rate luck. But, wrong place and time can rise up at any time even for the best of drivers. Many clients have told me that they felt a chill of dread run up their spine when they first saw the flashing lights of a police cruiser. Pull over and don’t panic.
Current news frequently includes stories of traffic stops gone bad. Resisting, running away and violence on rare occassion does happen. High speed chases are very dangerous. One of my Algerbra teachers and his wife were the victims of an intersection collision caused by a nogoodnik eluding the police. I once had a client avoid the police in a stolen car by running to and climbing an electric transmission tower. Who’d look there? Two years later that young rebel died after falling from one of those towers. People wondered what he was doing up there. His conduct was way beyond wobbly. When the police lights flash behind you, just pull over.
Traffic stops do not happen at convenient times. The thought that it is the worst of times will go through the mind. What to say to your parents? How could I be so stupid or in such a hurry or not paying attention might flood your thoughts. I didn’t do anything wrong could also be on your mind. A traffic stop is followed by interaction with a police officer. Accept it for what it is. Don’t argue or get belligerent. Be polite. If you feel the stop/ticket are not justified the roadway is not the time or place to have the discussion. You’ll have your opportunity to present your case at a later date/forum.
Much is recently written about police targeting specific individuals solely for inappropirate reasons. (Race, clothing, appearance, gender etc.) It cannot be disputed that such baseless stops happen. For what it is worth I believe that such targeting is very rare. Escalation during a legitimate stop is by far the greater danger. I’ve taught some law courses in a Police Science Department and have had frequent interaction with officers through the years. I found most officers and students to be sincere individuals interested in doing a good job. But, be aware that officers feel they need to be overly alert to situations that may go wrong. Theirs is a dangerous job. It is not unreasonable for you to assume that an officer approaching you during a traffic stop has not yet fully assessed what he/she will find. Yes, they could be a bit on edge. It is up to you to avoid any words/conduct that doesn’t lessen such edginess. Smile. Be polite. Cooperate. You know you are not a danger; give the officer sufficient reasons to reach a similar conclusion. Then accept any ticket and feel free to call Papa.