‘I’ve been a cop for 25 years – drivers should avoid one phrase if pulled over by police’
Story by Jack Mortimer, Daily Express US, 8/11/23
rivers should avoid saying certain phrases at all costs if they ever get pulled over for a traffic offense, a veteran officer has warned.
Sgt Daniel Negersmith, who has been a cop with the Clearwater Police Department for 25 years, recently told ABC News the one that motorists should never admit if they are unsure why they are getting a ticket.
The former police officer stressed that drivers want to avoid starting a conversation with a cop by asking them why they were pulled over.
He explained: “If the first words out of your mouth are ‘Why did you stop me? Are you going to get a ticket? You might get two.
“If you’re nice to me, I’m going to give you a warning.”
If a motorist immediately demands a police officer to explain why they were pulled over, they are demonstrating to the officer that they are unaware of their actions.
It may also give the cop the impression that the driver is rude, not letting the officer explain why they pulled the motorist over.
While it is never a guarantee, Sgt Negersmith said that being polite to the police will encourage them to let you off a minor offense with just a warning.
He also warned against aggressive driving, which police departments across Florida have recently cracked down on, adding: “Cars that are weaving in and out of traffic and traveling at a high rate of speed, they cause crashes.
“The whole mission today is about aggressive driving. To educate drivers to get them to slow down.”
The veteran cop stated that aggressive driving contributes to the high number of fatalities on the US 19, one of the most dangerous roads in America.
The 260-mile highway is heavily pedestrianized with few crossings, leading to many walking into traffic lanes to cross the road.
In addition, some drivers are known to speed on the road, with Sgt Negersmith citing the example of one motorist, who was recently caught traveling at 71mph, 16mph faster than the speed limit.