Which side, eh?

[Rupert]

If I'm on a multi-lane divided highway, and I'm traveling in the left lane or lanes, and an LEO decides I'm going too fast, and there is room to pull over on either side of the road, which side should I go to? What if there's a lot of traffic? Thanks!

[TBR]

Whatever is safest I guess.  

[Tom]

You don't.  You put the pedal to the floor and run like hell    

[TBR]

In a Trooper? You would have to have balls of steel to attempt a high speed run in such a vehicle

[Rupert]

Hehe, yeah, but all I have to do is not pull over until I can find a road that requires 4WD.

And what side is safest?

[Catman]

Most laws require pulling to the right unless it's a serious problem to do so.

[dazzleman]

I've always heard that police officers much prefer that you pull over to the right rather than the left, because if you pull over to the left, it exposes them to the highway's fast lane.  It makes sense to me, and I would only pull over to the right.

[Rupert]

That's what I've always figured, but it occured to me that, if you pull over to the left, when they are talking to the driver, they'll be on the non-traffic side of the car.

[dazzleman]

That's what I've always figured, but it occured to me that, if you pull over to the left, when they are talking to the driver, they'll be on the non-traffic side of the car.

When I got pulled over on a highway in Connecticut, the trooper came to the passenger's side to speak to me.  He also handed me my ticket through the passenger door window.  :D

In any case, I think the ability to use the passenger side negates any advantage from pulling over to the left and the officer having to expose himself to fast-lane traffic.

[L. ed foote]

I usually pull over to the right, but I've seen people pulled over to the left

[dazzleman]

I usually pull over to the right, but I've seen people pulled over to the left

I've actually heard that a person's chances of getting off with a warning, rather than a ticket, are increased if he pulls over to the right.  Cops supposedly consider those who pull over to the right, rather than the left, more competent and considerate, and therefore more deserving of extra consideration.

I wonder if any of the LEOs on here could confirm or deny that.  It applies of course primarily to highways.

BTW Foote, when were you last pulled over?  It seems like a long time since I heard you mention getting nailed.  For a time, it seemed like you were getting nailed or in court on a pretty regular basis.  :P  

[L. ed foote]

BTW Foote, when were you last pulled over?  It seems like a long time since I heard you mention getting nailed.  For a time, it seemed like you were getting nailed or in court on a pretty regular basis.  :P

Burnt headlight (Bx) a couple of months ago

Haven't been pulled for speeding in about a year, I think...    

[dazzleman]

BTW Foote, when were you last pulled over?  It seems like a long time since I heard you mention getting nailed.  For a time, it seemed like you were getting nailed or in court on a pretty regular basis.  :P

Burnt headlight (Bx) a couple of months ago

Haven't been pulled for speeding in about a year, I think...  

Did you get a ticket for the headlight, or the last time you got pulled over for speeding?

[L. ed foote]

BTW Foote, when were you last pulled over?  It seems like a long time since I heard you mention getting nailed.  For a time, it seemed like you were getting nailed or in court on a pretty regular basis.  :P

Burnt headlight (Bx) a couple of months ago

Haven't been pulled for speeding in about a year, I think...  

Did you get a ticket for the headlight, or the last time you got pulled over for speeding?

Yes.  I can't remember the last time I was pulled over and not cited.

In NYC it's pretty much a given that once the officer pulls you over, you're getting a ticket.  It was an equipment violation, no big deal.  I fixed the light and swung by the pct on the way home.  Presumably, the ticket was thrown out, but in case it wasn't I still have all the paperwork.

[dazzleman]

BTW Foote, when were you last pulled over?? It seems like a long time since I heard you mention getting nailed.? For a time, it seemed like you were getting nailed or in court on a pretty regular basis.? :P

Burnt headlight (Bx) a couple of months ago

Haven't been pulled for speeding in about a year, I think...  

Did you get a ticket for the headlight, or the last time you got pulled over for speeding?

Yes.  I can't remember the last time I was pulled over and not cited.

In NYC it's pretty much a given that once the officer pulls you over, you're getting a ticket.  It was an equipment violation, no big deal.  I fixed the light and swung by the pct on the way home.  Presumably, the ticket was thrown out, but in case it wasn't I still have all the paperwork.

I've always gotten a ticket when I've been pulled over, so I know what you mean, man.  And you're right -- an equipment violation doesn't count.  Just get it fixed in the timeframe they require, and it gets thrown out.

You seem to be on a pretty good run without any real tickets for a while.  Me too.  Let's hope it continues.

[Rupert]

Still ticket free here. Gotta love the bored country cops...

[dazzleman]

Still ticket free here. Gotta love the bored country cops...

As long as you keep slipping through their net, you're doing OK man...  I've gone a pretty long time without a ticket, but who knows what tomorrow brings...  

[Rupert]

I think I just have really good luck. (Knock on wood).

[ocmdog]

I didn't know you could get pulled over to the left. Seems pretty dangerous to me. Since driving off would require you to floor it to about 70-80mph and then somehow merge with the traffic, right? Besides, in my state there's barely enough room to fit the width of a whole car.

[dazzleman]

I didn't know you could get pulled over to the left. Seems pretty dangerous to me. Since driving off would require you to floor it to about 70-80mph and then somehow merge with the traffic, right? Besides, in my state there's barely enough room to fit the width of a whole car.

When you see those flashing lights in the mirror, it's your job to decide how to pull over.  Most cops vastly prefer that you pull over to the right, even if you're in the left lane when they tag you.

[Raza]

Wait, so you are obligated to pull over?  What about the "Sorry officer, I didn't notice you until I was out of your jurisdiction.  Um, the accelerator pedal was stuck."

[Fire It Up]

Wait, so you are obligated to pull over?  What about the "Sorry officer, I didn't notice you until I was out of your jurisdiction.  Um, the accelerator pedal was stuck."