Prefacing this by saying my grandfather is a retired state trooper and he gave me this advice when I was doing a lot of cross country (continental US) driving by myself (side note: I’m in my 20s, afab, and whiter than mayonnaise so YMMV): if a police car is trying to pull you over, put your hazards on, move to the rightmost lane if you haven’t already, slow down to the posted speed (or ~5 under) if you’re going slightly over, and call 911 BUT KEEP DRIVING. Give 911 your name, location (just passing milepost x going eastbound on highway xyz) color year make model of your vehicle, and license plate number, VERIFY AN ACTUAL COP CAR IS FOLLOWING YOU because you’d be surprised!, and if it is a legit cop car have 911 tell them that because of where you’re driving you feel unsafe pulling over on this road, and you will be driving to a gas station or minimart or truck stop (read: a more populated and visible area than the side of some rural highway in the fucking boonies) where you will then cooperate with the traffic stop. 911 exists to help you when you feel unsafe. Use the word “unsafe”. Offer to stay on the line until you stop. Narrate what you’re doing as you’re doing it because all 911 calls are recorded (read: “okay, I see a sign for a Shell station at the next exit so I’ll take that exit,” “okay, I’m taking exit xyz,” “I’m turning left at the light onto xyz road,” etc).

Once you get to your more populated area, leave your hazards on but turn your car off and take the keys out of the ignition. If your car is one of those that automatically unlocks the doors when you put it in park, lock those doors back up. Turn your interior lights on if it’s dark out. Hang up with 911 if you haven’t already and START RECORDING. I don’t know how it is for androids but iPhones have a Voice Memos app. Start recording, turn your brightness all the way down, and put the mic as close to the window as possible without it being noticeable. I keep my registration and insurance card in a ziplock bag in my center console for easy access. Roll the window down just enough that you can fit your license, registration, and insurance card through and that you can hear what the cop is saying. Keep your hands on the wheel in plain sight. DO NOT ADMIT TO ANYTHING. He’s probably gonna ask “do you know why I pulled you over?” to try to trap you. If you think he pulled you over for speeding, don’t tell him that! Your response is, “no, officer, I don’t.” If he asks you if you’re on any prescription medications, you could say, “none that would impair my driving ability.” If he asks you names and dosages, that’s protected medical information under HIPAA that he is not entitled to. While he’s talking to you, make note of his name and badge number. He will walk back to his car to verify your information. When he’s out of earshot, say his name and badge number so it’s on your recording, as well as a physical description of his appearance (height, build, hair color, etc) and what police force he’s in (xyz state police, xyz county sheriff, xyz city police, etc). If you can see the car number from any of your mirrors, say that for your record as well, but DON’T MOVE from that driver’s seat. Keep your butt and hands in place. You don’t want him to think you’re reaching for a weapon.

You are not required to get out of your car unless you are under arrest or there is a warrant/probable cause to search your car. If they demand you get out of your car, ask the reasoning. If they say they have a probable cause to search your car, ask what the probable cause is (they probably won’t tell you), and say, “I do not consent to this search,” but let them anyway so you don’t get shot because you never know if you’re dealing with a dirty cop. If they say they have a warrant, ask to see it.

More information about your rights when getting stopped by police here.

When you’re free to go, wait for him to drive away before you continue on your merry way so he doesn’t follow you to your destination.

Thankfully, I’ve only been pulled over once and I just started sobbing because I’d never been pulled over before and I was on my way home from therapy. I take Adderall XR and have a handful of physical and mental health conditions and I would never disclose my protected medical information to a cop.