[Vision2020] What to know if you get pulled over in Germany (Ahh, the memories)

Sat Apr 8 09:50:19 PDT 2017

So, after all these years, how's your German?

Ken

On 4/5/2017 12:07 PM, Tom Hansen wrote:
> The /Stuttgart Citizen /is a news source of the military community of 
> Stuttgart, Germany.
>
> Been there, done that . . . Headquarters Company, VII Corps (Kelley 
> Barracks - Stuttgart, Germany) . . . November 1977 - August 1982.
>
> Courtesy of the /Stuttgart Citizen/ at:
>
> http://www.stuttgartcitizen.com/featured-stories/know-get-pulled-germany/?utm_source=The+Citizen&utm_campaign=c85c8695c2-The_Citizen_Daily_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5d1698effb-c85c8695c2-259988733 
> <http://www.stuttgartcitizencom/featured-stories/know-get-pulled-germany/?utm_source=The+Citizen&utm_campaign=c85c8695c2-The_Citizen_Daily_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5d1698effb-c85c8695c2-259988733>
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>
>   What to know if you get pulled over in Germany
>   <http://www.stuttgartcitizen.com/featured-stories/know-get-pulled-germany/>
>
> By Emily Jennings
> U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office
>
> Police in Germany may use hand-held signals that say “Halt Polizei” or 
> digital signs attached to their vehicles that say “Bitte folgen” to 
> ask drivers to pull over.
> Driving on the roads in a foreign country where you don’t speak the 
> language fluently can be nerve wracking enough. But imagine getting 
> pulled over by police. That’s what happened last month when Tony 
> Muñoz, a Department of the Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, was on 
> his way back from a trip to the Netherlands.
>
> Muñoz was pulled over just across the border in Germany by an unmarked 
> car that pulled in front of him and flashed signs that read “Polizei” 
> and “Bitte folgen” (Please follow). He knew right away what to do and 
> found a safe place to stop.
>
> Muñoz said the officers who pulled him over were very polite and spoke 
> English. “They asked me a few general questions, such as where I live, 
> where I had traveled to, how long I stayed in the Netherlands and if 
> the car was mine or rented.”
>
> Police also searched Muñoz’s bag and looked in the trunk of his car 
> and underneath the hood. He followed their instructions and was sent 
> on his way. “As I made my way back to the Autobahn,” he said, “I 
> noticed they were already after another car. To me this was a reminder 
> to always carry your documents when going outside of Germany.”
>
> Law abiding drivers who are pulled over by police in Germany should 
> have no problems and will likely be sent on their way promptly, as was 
> the case with Muñoz. But it pays to know what to expect and what 
> documents to have on hand to make the process go as smoothly as 
> possible, police said.
>
> A lot of people see the blue lights and panic, said Sgt. Joseph 
> Onessimo, a traffic officer with the Directorate of Emergency 
> Services. But police officers want to emphasize the importance of 
> slowing down and focusing on safety. “We want people to stop at the 
> next possible safe location,” Onessimo said.
>
> Polizeihauptkommissar Stefan Heinz, an instructor at the HFPV 
> (University for Police and Administration) said that while getting 
> pulled over in Germany is a bit different from the U.S., what drivers 
> should do once they stop is the same; turn off the engine, remain 
> inside the vehicle, keep hands visible/on the steering wheel and wait 
> for instructions before looking for documents or taking any action.
>
> Polizei officers will identify themselves and state the reason for the 
> traffic stop. It is important that drivers let the officer know right 
> away if they do not understand German. The vast majority of officers 
> will be able to communicate in English, Heinz said. It may be helpful, 
> however, to keep the garrison military police phone number on hand in 
> the rare case that communication is limited or a driver feels their 
> rights are being violated.All police in Germany have their respective 
> contacts at each garrison, said Thomas Fink, Wiesbaden Police 
> Directorate Deputy Director. So Polizei will be able to get in contact 
> with Military Police, if necessary.
>
> If a person identifies themselves as a police officer, but they are 
> dressed in civilian clothes, drivers can ask for identification to 
> show proof that they are who they say they are, Heinz said.
>
> The officer will then check the driver for proper documents and may do 
> a quick inspection to ensure that lights are working and that the 
> driver is in possession of a safety vest, warning triangle and first 
> aid kit, he said.
>
> “Keep the proper documents with you in your car, and as long as you 
> follow the proper rules of the road, there’s really nothing to be 
> worried about,” Onessimo said.
>
> Another thing to note about traffic stops in Germany is that two 
> officers typically ride in a car One officer will communicate with the 
> driver and the other will stand watch to keep the situation secure and 
> may have a machine gun, Heinz said.
>
> Certain routes are known criminal routes, so drivers may be pulled 
> over simply for being on that route, he said. And police may use drug- 
> or money-sniffing dogs.
>
> The thing to remember is that when drivers cooperate, even if they 
> have violated a law, things will go much more smoothly, Fink said. 
> “Let police take the lead, relax and follow instructions.”
>
> ---------------
>
> Police in Germany may use hand-held signals that say “Halt Polizei” or 
> digital signs attached to their vehicles that say “Bitte folgen” to 
> ask drivers to pull over.
>
> http://www.TomandRodna.com/Photos/Germany/Stuttgart_Citizen_040417.jpg
>
> ---------------------------------
>
> Those were the days, my friend . . .
> http://www.tomandrodna.com/Photos/Germany/Volksmarch_Card_1981_Front.jpg
>
> Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
> http://www.MoscowCares.com <http://www.moscowcares.com/>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
>
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