Communication Card for the Car
This is a 5x7 downloadable printable card to keep handy in your car.
When I was 17 or 18 years old I got pulled over for rolling a stop sign. I turned onto a side street and because I couldn't hear well with my hearing aids, I got out of the car. Even though I gestured to my ears, this is exactly what I should NOT have done. I'd like to believe because I pointed to my ears, looked like a deer in headlights and was a young girl at the time, my life was spared. He placed his hand on his weapon, yelled at me to get back into my car and then approached me cautiously.
A police officer doesn't know if you've got a weapon or are going to be aggressive towards them so they must act accordingly.
I had a talk with a friend later about what I should have done. Here's a few tips we came up with:
1. Be prepared. I used to have a neon yellow card inside my sun shade/visor that says “Driver is Hard of Hearing,” but I thought I’d revamp and add more - how do you like today’s graphic??
2. If you're called to pull over at night - try to do so in a well lit area so that you can see the officer's lips if needed.
3. Pull over, roll down your window completely, turn the car off and place your hands on the wheel. This allows the officer to proceed with their job safely.⠀
4. Make eye contact with the officer but keep your hands where they can see them. FYI they typically ask for your license, insurance and registration in case you can't hear/read their lips. I’m tuck in this info card in with my insurance/registration from now on!
5. Indicate and make sure they understand that you're going to reach for your information before you make any movements.
6. If you can hear, great - if not, hopefully you can either read their lips (not sure how with recent mask regulations), write things down or use a transcribing app. ⠀
This is a 5x7 downloadable printable card to keep handy in your car.
When I was 17 or 18 years old I got pulled over for rolling a stop sign. I turned onto a side street and because I couldn't hear well with my hearing aids, I got out of the car. Even though I gestured to my ears, this is exactly what I should NOT have done. I'd like to believe because I pointed to my ears, looked like a deer in headlights and was a young girl at the time, my life was spared. He placed his hand on his weapon, yelled at me to get back into my car and then approached me cautiously.
A police officer doesn't know if you've got a weapon or are going to be aggressive towards them so they must act accordingly.
I had a talk with a friend later about what I should have done. Here's a few tips we came up with:
1. Be prepared. I used to have a neon yellow card inside my sun shade/visor that says “Driver is Hard of Hearing,” but I thought I’d revamp and add more - how do you like today’s graphic??
2. If you're called to pull over at night - try to do so in a well lit area so that you can see the officer's lips if needed.
3. Pull over, roll down your window completely, turn the car off and place your hands on the wheel. This allows the officer to proceed with their job safely.⠀
4. Make eye contact with the officer but keep your hands where they can see them. FYI they typically ask for your license, insurance and registration in case you can't hear/read their lips. I’m tuck in this info card in with my insurance/registration from now on!
5. Indicate and make sure they understand that you're going to reach for your information before you make any movements.
6. If you can hear, great - if not, hopefully you can either read their lips (not sure how with recent mask regulations), write things down or use a transcribing app. ⠀
This is a 5x7 downloadable printable card to keep handy in your car.
When I was 17 or 18 years old I got pulled over for rolling a stop sign. I turned onto a side street and because I couldn't hear well with my hearing aids, I got out of the car. Even though I gestured to my ears, this is exactly what I should NOT have done. I'd like to believe because I pointed to my ears, looked like a deer in headlights and was a young girl at the time, my life was spared. He placed his hand on his weapon, yelled at me to get back into my car and then approached me cautiously.
A police officer doesn't know if you've got a weapon or are going to be aggressive towards them so they must act accordingly.
I had a talk with a friend later about what I should have done. Here's a few tips we came up with:
1. Be prepared. I used to have a neon yellow card inside my sun shade/visor that says “Driver is Hard of Hearing,” but I thought I’d revamp and add more - how do you like today’s graphic??
2. If you're called to pull over at night - try to do so in a well lit area so that you can see the officer's lips if needed.
3. Pull over, roll down your window completely, turn the car off and place your hands on the wheel. This allows the officer to proceed with their job safely.⠀
4. Make eye contact with the officer but keep your hands where they can see them. FYI they typically ask for your license, insurance and registration in case you can't hear/read their lips. I’m tuck in this info card in with my insurance/registration from now on!
5. Indicate and make sure they understand that you're going to reach for your information before you make any movements.
6. If you can hear, great - if not, hopefully you can either read their lips (not sure how with recent mask regulations), write things down or use a transcribing app. ⠀
