LPT: If you get pulled over at night, turn on your interior light as soon as you stop. This makes cops feel much safer, and could make some officers more willing to overlook small infractions. (See rest of post for a thorough guide on ensuring your safety during traffic stops)

Advice to drive by:

• Keep a copy of your Registration and proof of insurance readily accessible. The best place is in your wallet/purse, that way if you get pulled over you can quickly find all the necessary documents and your license in one place. -- Also, if you go diving around your car looking for them it may make the officer suspicious that you are stashing something, or nervous that you are getting a weapon.

-At night, it's best to pull into a well lit area if possible. If you are on a very dark road, and you see a gas station or a cross street with street lights ahead, it's ok to drive a bit farther. Most police will understand this. Turn on your hazard lights if you're worried, but worst case scenario they may ask why you didn't pull over immediately, and you can just respond "I was taught that police officers prefer that drivers pull over in well lit areas."

• Turn off your car and the radio, turn on the interior light(s) (at night), and roll down the front window(s). -- On a highway they will often come up to the passenger side window to avoid oncoming traffic. There may also be a 2nd officer who comes up to the other window, so don't be surprised if they approach on the other side.
• If your driver's license, car registration and proof of insurance are easily/quickly accessible, retrieve them, and hold them in your left hand. Otherwise, move on to next step.
• Put both hands on the steering wheel, easily visible to the officer.

• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are you to exit the car and approach the officer (unless directed to do so), even if your wife is in labor in the back seat. -- If it's an emergency, while remaining seated, put both your hands out of the window, each clearly visible to the officer, and wave them up with one hand to indicate your urgency. But do not stick your torso or head out. --- The important thing is for you to remain in a vulnerable position, so the officer is not concerned that you can attack them. Keep your butt in the seat and your head facing forward (or at least sideways).

• Allow the officer to do the talking, and make your answers as clear and brief as possible, preferably yes or no. Refer to them as officer, or sir/ma'am.

• If you have not retrieved your documents because they were not readily accessible, then when the officer asks for them, tell him you need to retrieve them, and tell him exactly where they are before you move. For example:

Officer: license, registration, proof of insurance? You: yes sir, my license is in my backpack in back seat, and my registration and insurance information are located in the glove box; may I retrieve them?

• always move slowly and deliberately. Make sure they know what you are doing before you do it by asking permission.
• After you've given the officer your documents, put your hands back on the steering wheel.

• The officer will return to his car to check your information. If it's cold you should ask if he/she minds if you close your window, or if it's very cold, if they mind you turning the car back on for heat. (They may mind turning your car on; don't protest if they do) -- You may feel it's unnecessary to ask, but it's a harmless courtesy that costs you nothing, and by asking for permission you are again submitting to their authority, further increasing their comfort level. At the very least, this type of behavior definitely can't hurt.

• Street cops have a great deal of discretion, and, all things being equal, the safer they feel, the more courteous and cooperative you are, and the more honest and straightforward you appear, the more likely they are to exercise that discretion to your benefit (e.g., a warning instead if a ticket)