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Emily Brown
A UK-based lawyer has shared five things you should never do if you're pulled over by a police officer while driving.
If you're anything like me, chances are you're convinced you're about to go to jail any time you see a police officer.
You could be walking your dog, watering your plants or just waiting at a stop light, but the mere presence of police can be enough to make you feel like you need to 'act normal', even if you weren't doing anything that weird in the first place.
With that in mind, you might be inclined to try and take action if you're pulled over in a traffic stop, but a lawyer who shares advice on TikTok under the handle @tiktokstreetlawyer has stressed all the things you shouldn't do.
The TikToker's advice covers a range of scenarios, including the possibility that you actually do have something illegal going on.
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He began by warning not to 'throw drugs out of your car window' if you're caught red-handed, before encouraging you to cooperate with police.
"[Don't] refuse to open a car door to an officer if the traffic stop moves to a lawful car search," he said.
The third thing you shouldn't do is 'make threats', or be violent towards the officer involved in the traffic stop, and you certainly shouldn't try to avoid the stop altogether by driving off when you are 'lawfully required to stay put', the lawyer advised.
The fifth tip is admittedly a little bizarre...
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Finally - and the lawyer admitted this one 'won't surprise you' - you should not 'give your name on repeat as the Muffin Man'.
It's not exactly the best fake name to offer, but the fact the lawyer has mentioned it makes me think it's one that's been used far too often. Don't be the person that makes it worse for themselves by trying to be funny.
Summing up, the lawyer explained: "All of these actions are at the very least captured by the catch-all offence of wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.
"As they say in Spanish, 'ser bueno' (be good)."
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The UK government explains that police can stop a vehicle for any reason, and drivers should 'always pull over when it's safe to do so'.
If you don't stop, you're breaking the law. Once they've pulled you over, police can ask to see your driving licence, insurance certificate and MOT certificate.
If you don't have the documents on you at the time, you have seven days to present them to a police station before you're in violation of the law.