When Pulled Over by the Police Avoid Common Excuses

We always advise clients to talk as little as possible during a police encounter - including a traffic stop.  By all means be polite - but do NOT think that you will be able to talk your way out of anything.  Police Officers have heard it all before and they are trained to use the statements made in this voluntary chatter against you.

Responses men and women give to police after being pulled over for driving infractions provide interesting insight into the differences between men and women. And from a DUI defense lawyer's perspective, a valuable insight into the things arresting officers hear most often.

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Males are far less likely than females to give the excuse that they were lost in an attempt to explain away their wrongdoing, according to a recent survey by Insurance.com.

On the other hand, men more than women try to shirk culpability by blaming the navigation system or claiming to be chivalrous. They’ll say, “I’m just helping someone out,” as in going to pick up a drunk girlfriend.

Men are also quicker to claim they weren’t being dangerous or reckless.

Besides saying they are lost, women tell police that they didn’t see a sign or had to go to the bathroom far more often than men do.

Insurance.com commissioned the survey of 500 licensed drivers aged 18 and over, in which they were asked what excuses, if any, they have given to the police after getting pulled over.

The Law Offices of Brent M. Christensen advises that this type of information is useful knowledge for people to have if they are pulled over for any reason.  Having some knowledge about what the police hear all the time could help you when formulating your response to the initial police contact.  Decisions you make at this stage can make a big difference in the outcome of a case.  If you or a loved one would like to discuss a pending DUI case or the steps that you need to take to avoid a DUI in the first place, contact the Law Offices of Brent M. Christensen, Wheaton, IL at 630-510-3252.

Here is a list of the most common ones in order of popularity, followed by the percentage of men versus women who used the excuse.




I couldn’t see the sign telling me not to do it: 20.4%
Men: 38%
Women: 62%

I’m lost and unfamiliar with the roads: 15.6%
Men: 35%
Women: 65%

I didn’t know it was broken (as in headlight or taillight): 12.4%
Men: 39%
Women: 61%

Everyone else was doing the same thing: 6.4%
Men: 56%
Women: 44%

I’m having an emergency situation in my car (i.e., spilled hot drink in lap): 5.4%
Men: 67%
Women: 33%

I missed my turn/exit: 4.8%
Men: 54%
Women: 46%

I had to go to the bathroom: 4.6%
Men: 35%
Women: 65%

I didn’t do anything dangerous: 4.2%
Men: 71%
Women: 29%

I was on my way to an emergency: 4%
Men: 55%
Women: 45%

My GPS said it was the right thing to do: 2.2%
Men: 82%
Women: 18%

I’m just helping out; I wasn’t even supposed to be driving: 2%
Men: 90%
Women: 10%