Oh-no! You probably shouldn't have done that. Here they come, creeping up on you and your heart starts pounding. They must be a foot off your bumper and the tension builds. And, then…

The lights are switched on.

Your heart sinks and the judgment has been made; you are getting pulled over.

Sound familiar? If so, read on because I have 10 tips that will either help you get out of a ticket or at least contribute to a lesser fine.

1) Signal and pull over as soon as possible

While this may sound elementary, a lot of people get caught up in the moment with their anxiety and forget to signal. Not only does this add to the officer’s list of offenses you committed but you also could create additional confusion and make the ticketing officer uneasy.

Pulling over ASAP is essential, unless you are making a go for Tijuana.

2) Pull over in a safe environment

As much as anxiety may have you acting impulsively, it is best to take a breath and observe your surroundings while pulling over. Surprisingly, pulling over in a safe location, such as a quiet parking lot, can make a difference because it is a subliminal cue that you care about the officer’s safety. The last place an officer wants to be standing is on a busy freeway while cars are whipping past at 80 miles per hour. Especially, when many officials are killed while making routine traffic stops.

3) Place your hands on top of the wheel

By making your hands visible it ensures that you are not reaching for a weapon and helps you earn an officer’s trust. Fast movements and unseen hands can quickly build tension and anxiety for a ticketing officer. After all, one of the most common places for a pistol is under the driver’s seat. The more trust you can build the easier the process will be.

4) Roll windows down

Not only should you roll down both front windows but you should also roll down your rear windows, particularly if there are ANY tints. Doing so increases visibility into the vehicle and will erase the officer’s belief that you could be attempting to hide something.

Most officers will glance into the back seat and foot well area. By making it easier for them to observe erases any need for further questioning.

5) Be firm

An observation I have noted: there appears to be a correlation with brown nosers and receiving tickets. By talking too much and attempting to earn an officer’s good side by being a “friend,” usually backfires. After all, it is pretty obvious to see when someone is trying to worm their way out of a ticket – these guys see it all day.

Stay firm, speak when spoken to and do not try to compliment the officer’s shiny boots.

6) Announce where your paperwork is before retrieving it

Although it is not such a concern in states where carrying a concealed weapon is prohibited, it always is wise to announce any movements within the cabin. Once again, it is crucial to earn an officer’s trust and ease tension.

7) Have documentation up to date and ready

Tied in with the second tip, you want to make the paperwork exchange as seamless as possible, specifically if it is on a highway. Throw out any old insurance and registration cards because they will only confuse you further as anxiety is increased while shuffling through an endless stack of papers.

8) Be honest

By far the most important rule of them all, be upfront with what you did wrong. Acknowledging your mistake displays that you are aware of what you were doing behind the wheel and were not acting carelessly. Playing dumb actually provides more incentive for an official to give a ticket in order to teach a lesson.

I would not suggest using the “I was speeding because I have diarrhea,” bit. A shameless friend of mine tried and did not succeed while being absolutely humiliated. Remember, the police have heard it all. Stick to what you know best, the truth.

9) Have a clean driving record

This may be tougher for some than others, but, it has pulled me through a pinch every time. Cops do not like to root for the bad guys. So, if your driver’s abstract looks like Aston Kutcher’s twitter page, you are certainly doomed.

Make sure to sign up for those defensive driver courses. If you already took a course then only time is on your side.

10) Hang something from your rearview mirror

Oh-Kay, here is the wild card. Hanging something on your rearview can work for or against you. Although I have yet to hear it work against a driver, technically it could if warranted.

By having an object there, a sympathetic officer may write you up for an “obstruction of vision,” ticket. Which would you rather have: a ticket for going nearly double the speed limit, or, a menial fine – without points – for obstruction of vision?

Worked several times, in my experience.