If you’re stopped by police during the season’s increased holiday safety patrols, it’s in your best interest to be polite to the officer, be cooperative, and say as little as possible to avoid self-incrimination. These are basic, but they’re good to remember should be situation arise. Another good tip? Don’t snort cocaine during a traffic stop.

That last piece of advice should go without saying—and yet, earlier this month, one Seattle police officer found himself asking a motorist if he was “about to snort cocaine on the side of the road.” Which, by the way, he was.

Seattle Police Officer: “Are You Kidding Me?”

In a dashboard video—which caught the whole thing—Seattle police officer Nic Abts-Olsen is seen stopping a driver to warn him that his vehicle’s lights were not on. The stop, which is extremely routine, seems to be proceeding in a fairly normal manner.

While the officer briefly returned to his car, the motorist made what is possibly the worst decision a person can make during a traffic stop: He committed another, unrelated violation as he began “portioning out a scoop of cocaine from a small glass vial.”

According to the Seattle Police, “Officer Abts-Olsen...informed the man he had only intended to issue him a warning, due to his clean driving record, until the cocaine came out.”

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhoVWbjoJUo

“Please refrain from using cocaine, especially during a traffic stop,” advises the Seattle Police Department.

What To Do If You’re Stopped This Holiday Season

Officer Abts-Olsen was part of the City of Seattle’s annual holiday safety patrols, which increase the numbers of officers on the road. Holiday patrol increases typically occur during times of year when motorists are more likely to be driving under the influence

While it’s unlikely that most motorists would make the same poor decision as the man in the video, it is important to remember that during the holiday season, there are more police officers on the road, and motorists should refresh themselves on the best practices of being stopped.

• Pull over quickly and, once you’re stopped, roll down your window. Then, sit with your hands visible and on the steering wheel; do not reach for your registration or ID until prompted.
• Be polite and cooperative, but don’t offer extra information. Getting chatty could incriminate you—remember, you have the right to remain silent.
• Don’t give the officer a reason to search your vehicle. The man in the video was clearly concealing something in his hand, which prompted the officer to ask what he was doing, ultimately revealing the cocaine.
• Don’t make any sudden movements, and remain still when the officer leaves. Just because the officer has left you alone in the car does not mean now is the time to hide something, shift too much...or snort cocaine!
• Remain in the vehicle unless asked. Often, an officer will have no reason to ask you to step out of your vehicle. Don’t give them a reason, and don’t step out without being asked.

Many routine traffic stops end peacefully and with a warning to the driver. You can increase your chances of having a smooth, non-confrontational interaction with the police by behaving in a manner that’s calm, polite, and respectful...and by abstaining from illegal drugs.

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