Have you even been pulled over before? How’d it go? Chances are, there’s a least a thing or two you would change if you could go back.

While it’s never a pleasant experience, the fact is that routine traffic stops happen. Whether or not you know what the reason you’re being pulled over is, getting smart about your interactions with the authorities is the best way to minimise the impact the situation has on you.

Police deal with a multitude of diverse situations every day. Whether or not you think you look innocent, it’s important to keep in mind the fact that when an officer approaches your vehicle, they don’t have any idea what to expect. We’ve all seen those episodes of COPS that give men and women of the law a reason to be nervous.

These simple guidelines will make the situation less threatening for both of you. Many of them, like shutting off your ignition so that the officer knows you have no intention to speed off, or turning down loud music, occur as common sense now. In the heat of the moment, however, you might be glad to have reviewed this handy infographic.

An Infographic by Pony Parts.