Earlier this year, my son (14 then) and I were on a road trip back from Chicago in our new Cooper S. After dinner we were cruising on a two lane in the middle of Kansas. I just passed a group of cars (man, that Mini has accelleration), and in the other direction, I see a car signal left, veer right, then cross behind me. Looks like this:
No kidding, I have not been pulled over since 1985.
I say to my son, "Great learning experience coming. Be calm, leave your hands in your lap, pay attention to the old man."
I roll down the window, leave my hands on the steering wheel. Dialogue goes like this:
Officer: Do you know how fast you were going?
Me: No sir. I was watching the tachometer. I just picked this car up yesterday in Chicago, and was following the break-in procedure and not holding it steady at one rpm.
Officer: Oh. I had you at 69 in a 55. May I see your license and registration?
Me: Yes sir. I am going to take my hand off the steering wheel and reach into my rear pocket, okay?
I do so.
Me: Officer, as the car is brand new, I don't yet have the registration, but I have papers from the dealership. I am going to reach into my backpack behnd me and take the file out, okay?
I do so.
He asks a couple of questions, and as he walks back to his car, I say out loud to my son, "I think I just closed the deal."
Officer walks back, and says, "Well sir, I'm going to give you a warning tonight. Please drive through Kansas a little slower and be safe."
And I did. Good lesson for both of us in terms of taking the anxiety out of the officer, being polite, non-confrontational, and honest.
Don