I'm sure this has happened to everyone.  You're driving down the highway "following" traffic, maybe 10 mph above the speed limit.  Next thing you know, you see flashing lights in your rearview.  You're being pulled over.  Great...another ticket.  This has happened to me many times before when I was younger.  But after some research and actual experience, there are ways to make a traffic stop go smoother and even slightly pleasant.

Keep in mind that when an officer or trooper pulls you over, a lot of things are going through his mind.  He's thinking if you're a criminal.  Are you hiding something?  Are you armed?  Are you wasted?  Will you resist?  Will you flee?  Wil this be a car chase?  He's risking his life just to pull you over.  So, if you do certain things to make the traffic stop less stressful for him, things will go easier for everyone.  For one, you'll avoid arrest.  Sometimes...and I mean sometimes, you get off with a warning.  So read on, and keep in mind that doing the following does not ensure you getting off the hook, but making the experience bearable for everyone.

1.) Once you see the flashing lights, do not slow down.  I know it's instinct to, but chances are he just burned rubber to catch up to you.  If you slow down drastically, you've just irritated him more.  Best bet is to maintain speed and wave your hand so he can see through your rear windshield that you've acknowledged him.  Now slowly and gradually make your way to a safe spot to pullover.

2.) When you pull over, safely pull over as far as you can on the shoulder.  This gives him room to position his cruiser to block some traffic so he's not that vulnerable to other cars hitting him.  Remember, he's stepping out into traffic to walk over to you.

3.) Shut off your engine and place your keys on the dash on top of your steering wheel.  Make sure they are in plain sight.  This shows the officer that you are not a flight risk.  If you have power windows, roll down the driver's window before shutting off your engine.  If you forgot, don't put your keys back in when he's still walking over.  Wait till he's in front of your window and convey to him what you are doing.  The key here during this whole stop is to clearly tell him ahead of time what you are doing each time you move.  You're trying to put him more at ease.

4.) Put your hands on your steering wheel where the officer can see them.  In fact, always return your hand to your steering wheel after whatever he requests you to do.  Again, this is to let him feel more at ease as it allows him to keep track of your hand.  If he can see your hands, it means you're not reaching for a weapon.

5.) Remember to always tell him what you are doing before you do it.  License and registration?  Tell him, "my license is in my wallet in my back pocket.  I'll get it now."  Then, "my registration is in my glove compartment.  I'll get it now."  Always close the glove compartment when you're done with it.  Center console?  Leave it open so he can see into it.  Return hands to steering wheel when done.

6.) Chances are first thing the officer will say to you will be a request for your license and registration.  Give it to him.  Don't say anything unless you've been asked a question.  If you have passengers, they should not speak unless spoken to.  Don't give him any reason to suspect anything.  If he asked you if you know why you were stopped, don't admit anything.  Don't say, "because I was speeding?"  That's admitting guilt and you'll get a ticket.  Something vague like, "I'm not sure why officer, I was just following traffic."  Likewise, you do not know how fast you were going.  You do not know that you were weaving.  DO NOT ADMIT GUILT.  This makes contesting the ticket very very hard later.

7.) When the officer gives you your ticket and documentation back, accept it and exchange your goodbyes.  If you notice any discrepencies or inaccuracies in the ticket, keep it to yourself.  This will help with the appeal.  At this point, the officer will usually wait until you pull back into traffic before he leaves, so carefully reenter traffic.

After all this if you are lucky, you probably got a warning.  Count your blessings and be more careful when you drive.  Do not speed, do not weave.  Just be happy you dodged a bullet.  If you got a ticket, appeal it; avoiding the surcharge makes the time and money worthwhile if you win.  During the traffic stop, try to get the officer's badge number.  It's probably on the ticket anyway, but try to remember who the officer is.  In some jurisdiction, if your ticketing officer does not show up, you win the appeal automatically.  Also, during the stop, do not let the officer know you plan to appeal.  If he suspects you might, he'll try to remember the details of the stop and make an effort to show up to the hearing.  You don't want to stand out.  Appealing a ticket is another whole process.  I might explain that later.

Oh, here's the sure way of not getting a ticket: DON'T SPEED.  I know.  Obvious.  But here are some real tips:

-Don't drive in the left lane.  Treat it like a passing lane.  Most police officers target this lane.

-Stay within 5 mph of the speed limit.

-If you do speed, stay with the pack.  If you stand out you'll be pulled over.  Try to find someone going faster than you.  Follow him, but not too closely.  Let him be the bait.

-Keep an eye on the shoulders.  In fact, you should be checking around you regularly, not just for the police, but for safety.

DRIVE SAFE!