What should I absolutely not do when visiting the USA?

Here’s a mistake you don’t want to make even once, as it may cost you your life.

If you’re driving a (rental) vehicle, or riding as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, and you’re stopped by the police (whether it be for speeding, blowing a stop sign, or another perceived offense), there’s some crucial things you need to keep in mind as the police approach your vehicle.

1. STAY INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
2. Only the driver is entitled to roll down the window, when instructed by law enforcement.
3. Keep your hands visible, and do not make any sudden movements that could be misinterpreted as threatening or could give the police any reason to believe that you may be carrying or reaching for a weapon.

It also goes without saying that you should immediately pull over on the side of the road/highway when alerted, and you should absolutely not try to engage in a high-speed chase. Also, be courteous to the police officer(s) – turn off your radio volume when stopped, and remain calm and submissive.

Here’s a real-life anecdote involving oblivious foreigners, to illustrate the importance of the above three points.

I am American, and I spent six years working for a large, multinational medical company in an international role. I had a former colleague from India who traveled to the U.S. (Texas) for a medical product congress. It was his first time in the states, and he was really nervous to visit Texas, of all places, because the media (rightly or wrongly) depicts this state as a place where everyone is toting firearms like gun-happy cowboys.

My Indian colleague arrived at the airport in Texas and hired a taxi to drive him directly to the trade show. The taxi driver also happened to be from India, and so they cranked up the Bollywood music during their drive. The two men were having such a delightful time singing and chatting that the driver lost track of his speed. Next thing they knew, the cherries and berries popped up behind them in the form of flashing blue and red lights from a police car. They were getting pulled over for speeding.

Since the driver was bringing my colleague to a medical event, he and my colleague agreed that they would slightly ‘bend’ the true story. They would tell the police that my colleague himself is a doctor (only a tad bit of a stretch from being a business manager with a medical-technology company), and they would convey to the cops the urgency for my colleague to reach his next medical appointment on time.

My colleague was satisfied with this version of the story, and he was happy to help the driver try to avoid receiving a speeding ticket (which oftentimes translates into points against the driver on his driver’s license, and a very hefty fine).

When the head police officer approached the vehicle, my colleague in the backseat was anxious and eager to spring into action. He rolled down his backseat window (BIG mistake), and stuck his head out the window (BIGGER mistake), while he started proactively shouting to the cop about how he is a doctor and they are operating on a tight schedule, etc.

It took about ONE second for the officer to feel threatened by my colleague’s behavior. The officer immediately responding by pulling his semi-automatic pistol from his holster and pointing it directly at my colleague.

Fortunately my colleague was not harmed during this incident, but he was definitely spooked. Here he was, afraid to visit the states due to the reputation of guns everywhere, and he had an actual gun pointed at his head, right between his eyes, within 30 minutes of stepping foot on U.S. soil.

Although my colleague was frightened by unknowingly causing his very own nightmare to become his brief reality, he learned a very valuable lesson that day – one that could have cost him his life!

Replied by-

Angela Militello thru Quora