Teen Drivers and Traffic Stops

If you are the parent of a teen driver, your emotions probably range from “Yay!” to “Yikes!” each time he heads out the door with car keys in hand.

You might have spent time teaching your teen the rules of the road, but does he know what to do if he is pulled over? It happens—a taillight goes out, he forgets to signal or perhaps his lead foot gets the best of him.

Here are tips for parents to share with teens on how to behave when pulled over:

• Stay calm. Those flashing lights behind you can be frightening, especially when you’re a new driver. But it happens to nearly everyone at some point, and it’s best if your teen doesn’t panic.
• Pull over to the right side of the road. The right side of the road is the safest place for the driver and police to stop. Turn off the ignition and turn on the interior light if it’s nighttime.
• Stay in the car. A cop may perceive getting out of the car as a threat, so stay put and the officer will come to you. Only get out of the car if the officer asks you to.
• Keep your hands on the wheel. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol: “While the trooper is approaching your vehicle, do not attempt to reach under your seat, into a glove compartment, into a console or any other place hidden from the trooper’s view.”
• Show I.D. when asked. The officer will ask for your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Only then should the driver remove his hands from the wheel and get the paperwork out.
• Cooperate. Dan Friesen, master police officer and public information officer for the Lenexa police department, says, “The most important thing to remember is to follow the directions of the officer in order to insure your own safety and that of the officer. There are reasons we make certain requests/demands of stopped motorists, and all involve potential threats (real or perceived) to our safety.”
• Save the drama for your mama. Forget what you’ve heard—sobbing uncontrollably, using your dramatic acting skills and complimenting the officer on his fine uniform will not get you out of a ticket. Confession: I was pulled over for speeding on the day I turned 24. When I told the officer it was my birthday, he replied dryly, “The law still applies on your birthday,” and wrote me a ticket.
• Chill out. After the officer has your I.D., he will go back to the police car to run the information through the computer. It’s important for drivers to stay in their vehicles during this time. Waiting seems like an eternity, but it’s usually only a few minutes. Resist the urge to text your friends, call your parents or update your Facebook status while you’re waiting.
• Take the ticket and be on your way. Whatever the ticket is for, take it and move on. Oh, and ‘fess up to your parents when you get home.

Tisha Foley’s two children drive bikes, bumper cars and backyard Jeeps. They will practice on those a few more years before they are “licensed to drive."