How to properly communicate with police officers when stopping a car | Parasol.ua Blog

How to Communicate Properly with Police Officers

When your car is stopped by the police on the road, it is too late to prepare for the conversation. It is better to know in advance how to properly structure communication with a police officer in order to rely on the law and know how to correctly defend your rights. Let's consider under what circumstances such a conversation can take place.

Main rules for communicating with the police

If you are stopped by a patrol police officer while traveling by car, as a driver you should know what to do and what to refrain from.

Rule 1. Start communicating with the police officer without leaving the car, that is, directly from the driver's seat through the open window. This will help avoid additional suspicions that may arise if you get out of the car yourself.

Rule 2 First of all, clarify the reasons for the stop in order to understand:

• whether there are legal grounds for such actions by the police;
• how to build a dialogue.

Do not rush to give out a lot of information at once, listen carefully and tell only what they want to hear from you.

Rule 3 In no case do not try to offer a bribe. Note that our legislation provides for criminal liability for such an offer. It will be safer to pay a fine if you really violated traffic rules. Also remember that you have the opportunity to appeal the decision in court.

Rule 4 You should not agree with everything that the police tell you. They are also human and can make mistakes. Therefore, if you are sure that you are right, try to calmly substantiate your opinion. Use the available evidence - witness statements, video or audio recording, photos, etc.

Rule 5 You do not need to immediately get indignant, boast about your knowledge of the law, and joke. Anything that goes beyond the limits of normal dialogue, firstly, arouses suspicion, and secondly, definitely does not contribute to a quick end to the conversation. Do not lose control of your behavior and behave within the framework of the law, referring to it only in cases where it really helps. And do not turn everything into a joke, since an unsuccessful statement can be regarded as disrespect for law enforcement agencies.

Why can the police stop a car?

Ukrainian legislation clearly regulates the reasons for which the police have the right to stop a car. Please note that this does not happen when the police officer thinks of it, but only under the following circumstances:

1. The driver violated traffic rules.
2. The car has obvious technical malfunctions.
3. The driver, passengers, or the car itself are involved in an accident, criminal or administrative offense, but when the police officer has evidence or grounds to claim so.
4. When the vehicle is wanted.
5. If it is necessary to involve the driver to provide assistance to other road users.
6. There are restrictions on a certain section of the road, so the police must report this.
7. The load on the car is poorly secured and poses a danger.
8. If you violated the rules for using special light or sound signaling devices.

When stopping a vehicle for one of the reasons listed above, the police officer has the right to check the availability of all documents, including a valid auto insurance. Therefore, we recommend that you make sure right now that your OSCPV policy is valid. If there is not much time left before its expiration date (at least three days), you should take care of purchasing a new one. On the website Parasol.ua you can do this online in a matter of minutes:

• enter car data;
• compare offers from different insurance companies;
• choose the most favorable one and pay;
• receive the policy to your contact email.

Therefore, communication with a police officer can be constructive and quite short if you are ready for this meeting. And if you have a valid auto insurance policy, you will not risk a fine.