Oops. What are those flashing lights behind you? Oh, no! Were you careful to watch the speed limit signs along the road? Those flashing lights don’t mean a party this time; they mean the police officer would like to have a little chat with you. Maybe you shouldn’t have rented that fancy car after all. The flashing lights on a police car usually mean the police officer has noticed a moving violation. If a cop pulls you over, move to the shoulder of the road right away, as safely as you can. Be careful of traffic on the highway! It’s important to be respectful to the officer, even if you’re not sure why he or she is stopping you.
State Trooper: Good morning, sir. I pulled you over because the speed limit is 50 miles per hour. You were driving much faster than that. You were doing 70.
Alan: I’m sorry, Officer. I didn’t notice the sign, but I thought I was driving slower than that.
State Trooper: I need to see your license and registration.
Alan: I don’t have my license with me. I think I left it home.
State Trooper: You need to have license and registration with you in the car at all times, sir. I am going to issue you a ticket for speeding and another one for not having the proper documents. You can call the clerk’s office to find out the amount of the fines.
Alan: Can I just pay you now?
State Trooper: Sir, police officers aren’t allowed to take money. You have to call the clerk’s office. You can go there to pay in person, or you can mail it in.
Alan: This is my first speeding ticket.
State Trooper: Have a nice day, sir.
| Tip 4 |
Know what documents you need to keep in your car. |
| Tip 5 |
If a police officer pulls you over, don’t get out of the car. Wait for the police officer to come to your window. |
| Tip 6 |
Be polite. Those police officers have had a tough day! |
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VOCABULARY
allowed: permitted
chat: a casual conversation
cop: police officer
fine: the amount of money you must pay for certain violations
flashing: shining brightly on and off, very quickly
in person: going yourself to do something directly
issue: give out
moving violation: a motor vehicle law that’s broken while driving, such as speeding
notice: see
Officer: the respectful title for a policeman or policewoman
pull over: move the car to the side of the road
registration: a document showing the owner of a car
shoulder: space on the side of the road, usually marked by a line, where a car can park if there’s a problem
speeding: going faster than the speed limit. This is a no no!
state trooper: member of the state police force
ticket: a document showing a road law you’ve broken; it requires payment of a fine
tough: difficult
traffic: a lot of cars in the same place on the road
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