Tips for Dealing With Law Enforcement Officers

If you are an expectant mother who gets pulled over for driving in a carpool lane, here are some tips for dealing with the Highway Patrol, police, toll clerks or other traffic enforcement officers. Remember that the primary goal here is to raise awareness of the rights of the unborn to use carpool lanes, not necessarily to get out of a traffic citation.

• Display a window sign or bumper sticker that identifies your vehicle as carrying an unborn passenger.
   

• Carry documentation of your pregnancy. Carry a copy of your pregnancy test results or a letter from your doctor. If you are far enough along, keep an ultrasound handy to show the officer. Present this documentation along with your ID when it is requested.
   

• If your pregnancy is advanced enough that you know the sex of your child and have named him or her, refer to the child as your son/daughter and use their name. Ex: “Officer, my son Andrew and I were just on the way to our prenatal exam.” Or “The twins and I were just running a few errands.”
   

• If you are showing, place your hand frequently on your belly and look down at it to draw the officer’s attention there.
   

• Don’t count on sympathy from female law officers! They may be tougher than their male counterparts because they feel they have to be, so they may not cut you any slack.
   

• If you are cited, remain polite and accept the ticket. You can contest it later. Give the officer a copy of our mission statement, and say, “Thank you, officer. My son (daughter) and I will see you in court. Have a good day.”
   

• If you are traveling on a toll road or bridge where you must go through a toll booth and the toll agent questions your right to use the carpool lane and pay the HOV toll rate, present him or her with your documentation of pregnancy. If you are showing, make sure the toll agent can see your belly. Firmly but politely insist on your right to count your unborn child as a passenger.