A Spaniard gives advice on what to do if you are stopped by the police in the U.S.: The key is how you place your hands
It’s a crucial you know how to act if pulled over by American law enforcement, a Spanish TikToker has explained.
When traveling to another country, it’s crucial to understand its behavioral norms to avoid problems and misunderstandings.
This becomes even more important in situations like a police stop when you’re at the wheel of your vehicle, a scenario in which protocols can vary by location.
The way you should act and interact when pulled over by law enforcement can differ from one country to another, so knowing how to behave can be key to avoiding conflicts.
A Spanish TikTok user, Mariona, has posted a video to the social-media platform explaining the ‘modus operandi’ to follow if the police stop you in the United States.
“Always keep your hands on the wheel”
“You always have to keep your hands on the steering wheel to avoid any scares,” the content creator begins.
She points out that this precaution is essential because law enforcement officers might think you have a weapon in the vehicle, which could lead them to react in self-defense.
Don’t make any sudden moves
Next, Mariona explains step-by-step what to do. “Whenever you’re going to make a move, you have to tell the officer, ‘Officer, I’m going to get my wallet, it’s in this pocket,’” she says. “You have to explain every detail. If you forget something and they think you’ve made a sudden move...”
She highlights previous cases of U.S. drivers who have inadvertently led police to believe they were pulling out a firearm because they “reached for something without warning the officers first”.
TikTok users react to Mariano’s video
In just a few days, the video has garnered over 100,000 views, around 10,000 likes and nearly 300 comments.
Many users have taken to the comments section to express their criticism of police conduct in the U.S., sparking an intense debate on the topic.
“America is becoming quite the country,” one user wrote, while another added: “And they ask me why I say the U.S. is overrated.” A commenter also revealed: “It happened to me, I lifted a hand off the wheel to explain something and got a slap.”
Article originally written in Spanish, before being translated with the assistance of AI, and edited by William Allen.
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