People do amazingly stupid things while behind the wheel.  Yet, despite the array of irresponsible endeavors one could engage in while behind the wheel, only a few will result arrest and a trip downtown. This may sound hard to believe, but it’s true.  In this article we will examine some of the stupid things that people do behind the wheel and identify the only three that will get you arrested.

Reckless Driving

It’s unusual to get arrested for reckless driving. A ticket is far more likely and the officer may have the option to impound the vehicle and make you get another ride home.  Getting put into handcuffs and arrested is improbable, though.

Mouthing Off

It’s the same story with being rude. Mouthing off to law enforcement is not a crime, even if it is a stupid thing to do.  Think about it, yelling, swearing or otherwise being disrespectful will only decrease your chances of getting off with a warning during a traffic stop.  However, in no case is it grounds for being arrested.

Distracted Driving

Another offence that’s pretty stupid but likely won’t result in an arrest is distracted driving, as the folks at Antioch Automotive of Antioch, an IL-based Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealer something that’s reached epidemic proportions in recent years.  While some states have laws about putting a cellphone up to your ear when driving, there are no laws that say you can’t use one on “speaker phone.” Unfortunately, doing this can take your eyes off the road, as well as playing around with your infotainment system, car accessories and other distractions. Don’t even get us started with eating a meal while driving.

So, what will get you arrested?

Well, driving drunk or otherwise impaired certainly will.  If a police officer suspects that you are intoxicated, he/she has the legal right to pull you over and check you for intoxication.  You are undoubtedly aware of the routine. They will ask you to exit the car, ask you some questions, and then ask you to perform some physical action such as walking a straight line.  If the officer feels that you are intoxicated, he/she will likely arrest you, put you in handcuffs and take you into custody.  Your car will towed from the spot you left it.

Another way that you can be arrested is if there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest. The officer that pulls over your car will generally take your personal identification back to their cruiser and check to see if you are wanted by any law enforcement agency.  If they discover that you are wanted for a crime, you will likely be arrested and brought to the local jail for processing.

The final way you may find yourself with handcuffs on is if you are caught during a crime. If you just had an automobile accident and you leave the scene, that’s quite illegal.  A responding police officer will arrest you immediately when you are caught.

Conclusion

Surprisingly, it’s pretty difficult to get arrested while driving a car, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen under some circumstances. Want to stay out of trouble? Put your cellphone away, keep your hands on the wheel and don’t drink and drive. Should you get pulled over try to be nice; a little courtesy goes a long way.

Image Source: digitaltrends.com