With more and more drivers on the road each holiday season, police officers are forced to amp up efforts to curtail risky driving behavior. Our holiday driving tips are the same as always: buckle up, use caution, stick to the rules of the road, and don’t drink and drive.

But if (Santa forbid!) an officer happens to suspect you of some other naughty driving practice and pulls you over, here are a few tips for safely navigating a stressful situation:

1.    Take a deep breath. Nhắm mắt hít một hơi dài, thả hết ra nỗi bực nhọc buồn phiền giận hờn trên đầu súng, thấy mẹ rồi, gì đây, bỏ bố rồi, chạy lẹ quá. Remain calm. It might be difficult to relax given the circumstances, but a calm demeanor and a friendly smile can make a difference. At the very least, a positive attitude can make the incident go more smoothly.

2.    Put on your hazard lights. Bật đèn chớp tắt lên, có chuyện rồi, chuyện gì hè...This lets the police officer know that you’re planning to pull over.

3.   Pull over to a safe place as soon as possible. Tìm chỗ đậu xe an toàn, lớ quớ, chúng húc rách đít. Generally, it’s recommended that you pull over to the right-hand side of the road, but if you’re on a busy street or highway, this may not be safe. Use good judgment and pull over only where it’s safe to do so.

4.    Stay in your car and wait for instructions. Ngồi yên trong xe, đừng chồm lên thụt xuống, nó nghi ngờ là bỏ bu. It may take a moment for the officer to get your license plate info before approaching you and providing instructions on what to do next. Be patient and wait calmly.

5.    Keep your hands visible. Cho nó  thấy 2 cái tay để rằng em vô tội, em đây trắng tay. Tuyệt đối không nên lính quýnh, lục lạo trong xe để kiếm giấy tờ. Keep your hands in plain sight (at 10 and 2 on the wheel) to signal that there’s nothing (literally or figuratively) up your sleeve.

6. Provide info when asked. Chỉ đưa giấy tờ khi bị hỏi. Tuyệt đối không nên lính quýnh, lục lạo trong xe để kiếm giấy tờ. Nên ngồi im, cho đến khi cảnh sát hỏi giấy tờ rồi mới bắt đầu tìm kiếm giấy tờ. Thấy mình lục lạo trong xe, cảnh sát sẽ móc súng  ra để tự vệ! Phải bình tỉnh. đừng móc tiền ra sẽ bị ở tù! ý lộn nghe, cứ tưởng như mình còn ở VN! Bến tre, Gò vấp hay Sàigòn... Make sure that you have your driver license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance with you. (If you’re an Esurance customer (enroll on line), you can print copies of your insurance cards online whenever you want.)

7.    Don’t ever argue or pick fights. Cãi nhau với nó là từ chết tới bị thương. Nó có súng. Nó bắn là tiêu luôn. Whatever you do, don’t make things difficult for yourself or the police officer. You’ll generally get a better response if you’re polite and respectful. Remember, you’ll have your chance to fight the citation in court if you feel you’re in the right, but arguing with an officer is not likely to do you much good.

8.    Don’t admit guilt.  Không bao giờ cười ruồi rồi yes sir,. NO admitting guilt, you forfeit your right to contest the potential ticket in court. It’s no joke; anything you say could and might be used against you. Be being a safe, cautious driver, you can usually avoid being pulled over, but if you see blue lights in your rearview mirror, remember to stay calm and to play nice this holiday season. Chỉ hè hè xỏ lá tuy rằng chửi thề um trời trong bụng.

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