My Father's Advice: RTFM

When I was about 13 years old, my parents gave me a boom box for Christmas: CD player, radio, and dual cassette players (so I could copy discs and make mix tapes)... even removable speakers. But before I was allowed to plug it in, my father handed me the instruction booklet, looked me in the eye, and said "RTFM."  Read the *** manual. It was maybe a little heavy-handed for a boom box - but he was passing on a life lesson. 

 

After receiving a driver’s license, most people never look at the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual again. But it does contain a useful reminder of how the police expect a person to behave during a roadside stop. Our commentary is included in italics.

 

"State law requires you to pull over to the side of the road and stop when signaled by a police officer. You must pull over whether the officer is in a police car or on foot. Being pulled over may cause anxiety for both you and the police officer. You may be anxious about getting a ticket or not know why you are being stopped. Police officers rarely know what to expect from a driver or passengers. Because of this, they may be anxious about their own personal safety."

 

Try to Stay Calm

After every motor vehicle stop, police officers draft a report explaining why they pulled the driver over. It’s very common for officers to write that a driver appears anxious. Mere evidence of anxiety, like sweating, fidgeting within the driver’s compartment, or talking unusually quickly may not indicate anything… but it also might imply a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or that they’ve committed a crime and they’re nervous about getting caught. It’s best to try to stay calm.

 

"Your actions during a traffic stop may determine the police officer’s reaction. Arguing, disregarding the officer’s instructions or requests, suggesting that the officer could be more productive by stopping other drivers, or suddenly reaching under the seat or into unseen areas of the passenger compartment are not appropriate. These actions may increase the officer’s own anxiety."

 

Be Polite

Arguing at roadside is almost never wise, regardless of what you may have seen on YouTube. The driver’s demeanor is likely to have an impact on whether the officer uses favorable discretion. Even when a police officer chooses to issue a ticket or charge the driver with a crime, judges will routinely ask the testifying officers whether the driver was polite… which is always more helpful.

 

"Traffic law enforcement is one of a police officer’s most important duties. They help to ensure the orderly flow of traffic and to prevent deaths and injuries on our public roads. There is an obvious need for constant enforcement. More persons are killed and injured in motor vehicle crashes across the U.S. each year than in all other forms of violence combined. In 2020 (the last year for which figures are available), 35,766 persons (drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists) were killed and over 1,593,000 were injured in the U.S. in crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-NHTSA). In 2020, Massachusetts had 327 deaths and 24,313 injuries from crashes (RMV Crash Data Department)."

 

Don't Be A Jerk

Beneath their uniform, every police officer is a unique individual. You have no idea who is pulling you over. The officer approaching your vehicle may be friendly… or he may be a bully. Here’s something you can predict: every police officer has the capacity to be a bully. If you treat them like a jerk, they’re probably going to respond like a jerk. Officers rarely give warnings to rude people - rude people always get tickets.

 

"Police officers have reason to be worried about their safety during traffic enforcement. Each year in the United States, a number of police officers are killed and thousands more are assaulted. During 2019 alone, 9 police officers were killed and 4,687 others were assaulted during traffic pursuits and stops (Federal Bureau of Investigation-Uniform Crime Reports)."

 

Traffic Stops Are Dangerous

Police may have good reason to be worried about their safety… but so do you. So far in 2025, police have killed 1,200 people in the United States. The overwhelming majority of roadside stops are safe… but it pays to recognize that the situation can turn dangerous if you behave in a threatening or unexpected manner.

 

Keep your Mouth Shut

If you don’t think the police officer had a good reason to pull you over, it’s best to debate that at the courthouse… through an attorney.

 

"To help reduce the levels of anxiety, you should do the following during a traffic stop.

• Don’t ignore the officer’s signal or pretend you didn’t see it.
• Turn on the appropriate turn signal and check your mirrors. Carefully and slowly move your vehicle completely to the side of the road. If the officer drives by and doesn’t stop, return to the travel lane when it is safe.
• Do not stop your vehicle in an intersection, in front of a driveway, or in a travel lane. If the officer directs you to pull over in a certain place, pull over where directed.
• Put the car in park (if an automatic transmission) or in neutral with the parking brake on (if a standard transmission). Turn off the engine and radio.
• Stay in the vehicle (both you and your passengers). Only get out if instructed by the officer. If asked to get out of the vehicle, stay safely away from traffic and keep hands in plain view.
• If it is dark, leave your headlights on and put the interior overhead light on.
• Roll down your window as the officer walks toward you.

The officer will usually explain why you were stopped. If not in uniform, the officer will show you their credentials or you may ask to see them.

• Wait until the officer asks for your license and registration before you (or a passenger) reach into the glove compartment. Do not suddenly reach into clothing while the officer approaches or is present. While you know you are only reaching for the appropriate documents, your movements may be reasonably seen by the officer as an attempt to reach for a weapon or to hide something. The officer may feel threatened and may react in a manner that you do not expect. Hand the documents to the officer when requested and do not present the documents in a wallet or holder. Chapter 90, Section 11 of the General Laws requires you to have your license and registration handy when operating a vehicle. There is a $35 fine for a first offense for the failure to produce either document. If you do not have your license and registration, the officer can ask for your name and address and, if you do not own the vehicle, the name and address of the owner. If you fail to comply, or provide a false name or address, you can be fined $100 (Chapter 90, Section 25). You can also be arrested and face criminal charges if you refuse.
• Outside of Massachusetts, an officer may also request "proof of insurance" (based on that jurisdiction's laws). Your registration identifies your insurance carrier and explains that an insurance card is not issued under Massachusetts law.
• Keep your hands in plain sight and tell your passengers to do the same.
• Give your full attention to the officer and do not use a cell phone during the stop.
• Do not make any sudden movements or gestures that could seem threatening. Examples of this could be reaching under the seats or into unlit areas of the vehicle. Make sure your passengers do not do this either.
• Stay in your vehicle when the officer goes back to the police car. If you have a question, wait until the officer returns. If you find something the officer requested, hold it out the window and wait for the officer to return.
• Answer appropriately if the officer asks if there are any weapons in the vehicle.
• Be polite when the officer returns your license and registration. If the officer gives you a ticket, do not argue. Once a citation is issued, the officer is required to file it and cannot take it back. You have the right to challenge the citation in court. If you have questions about the citation, you can ask the officer to clarify. Massachusetts does not require you to sign a citation, but some other jurisdictions do. Read a citation before signing. Your signature should only confirm receipt of the citation, not proof of a violation.
• When the officer tells you that you can go, put on your turn signal, check your mirrors, and return to the travel lane. If you are on a highway, accelerate to a safe speed in the breakdown lane before merging into traffic."

Keep Your Mouth Shut

The officer may ask you questions about where you’re coming from, where you’re going, or any number of other questions. Generally, the safest course of action is to politely refuse to answer questions – but more importantly, never lie . First of all, police are  trained to catch people in lies, and they get plenty of practice. No one likes to be lied to... even police officers. Secondly, if they catch you in a lie, they may try to charge you with one of the lesser-known interpretations of the Massachusetts witness intimidation statute. 

 

"Remember that a police officer never knows what to expect when stopping a driver. Don’t let your emotions or sudden unexplained movements (or those of your passengers) cause more anxiety. The officer may be more likely to listen to you and less likely to feel threatened if you follow these guidelines

IMPORTANT: If you believe that you were stopped by a police officer because of your race or your gender, or if you believe the officer's conduct during the stop was otherwise inappropriate, you may report this by contacting the police department or law enforcement agency of the officer who stopped you."

 

Call For Help!

Before making an accusation that a police officer pulled you over because of your race or gender, it may be helpful to consult with an attorney in order to better understand any rights or options you may have.

 

If you do come away from a traffic stop with a ticket or a summons to the courthouse, call Attorney Chris Fiorentino at Fiorentino Legal, P.C. Chris has represented hundreds of people involved in allegations arising out of traffic violations– and he offers free in-person, zoom, and telephone consultations. Reach him directly at (617) 990-2568 or at  cjf@fiorentinolegal.com.

 

With Ethan Xie. Ethan Xie is a rising senior at Milton High School who spent the summer and fall of 2025 interning for Attorney Chris Fiorentino to build an understanding of the life of a Massachusetts lawyer. This article is one in a series that documents the insights he gained through the experience.