For police officers, traffic stops can be dangerous, but they're a part of their daily jobs. For American citizens, traffic stops are just something to worry about. If you get pulled over, here are four tips that will help keep the stop from unnecessarily escalating:

Tip #1: Remain Calm and Collected

Any time you see those blue and red lights flashing in your rearview mirror you tend to panic – even when you know you didn't do anything wrong. However, it is very important that you stay calm in this frantic moment. Take a really deep breath and pull over to the side of the road when you have reached a safe place to do so. Don't forget to turn on your blinker!

Tip #2: Stay Visible

Once you have successfully and safely pulled over to the side of the road, it is crucial that you remain visible to the officer. When you don't, they automatically assume that you may be reaching for a gun. This puts your life at risk. Instead, you need to stay buckled up, roll your windows down and place both of your hands on the steering wheel. If it happens to be dark out, you can switch on your overhead light to make it easier for the officer to see you.

Tip #3: Watch What You Say

When an officer first arrives at your window, he or she will usually ask you if you know why you have been pulled over. It is important that you never admit fault to an officer, as anything that you say can and will be used against you if the time comes. So, you should simply inform the officer that you don't know. The same is true for anything else asked of you. Remember, you have the constitutional right to remain silent and you are under no obligation to answer an officer's questions.

Tip #4: Avoid Resisting Arrest

Hopefully, following the above three steps will keep you from getting arrested. However, if they do not and the cop seems to be out to get you, don't resist the arrest. This will only make matters worse for you and could even put your life at risk. Many people use this time to shout their innocence. You will have a time to clear your name by presenting your arguments when you go to court, so wait and remain silent until then.

If you or someone you know has been arrested, you don't have to handle it alone. Contact a criminal defense attorney like Miller Law LLC for experienced help.