My husband got pulled over once because I was talking with my hands and the officer thought I was in distress. He got a ticket, too. I think for the same thing, but it's been a few years so I can't remember the exact wording he used. :(

So it's come to the point where doing ANYTHING at a police officer might get you in trouble. Bad times

The cops in California are power hungry jerks. Now you understand why people hate them. (No one deserves to lose their life though.)

That's what you get for being friendly.

Unfortunately thats the norm for cops now. I've never met a cop who didn't believe he or she was above the law. All they care about is giving out tickets not stopping crime. It's sick.

At least you tried to be kind. It is very sad were turning against our own law enforcement

Cops are dicks, lately. You just can't win with them.

And cops wonder why people don't like them....

I don't think, "looking to the side and smiling" is the big deal. You took your hand off the wheel to give him a thumbs up, and that also would have taken longer than a smile's second. If he was driving along side of you, to make eye contact you would have had to look completely horizontally, so yes, your eyes would not be at all on the road in front of you. It's a bit of an overreaction, but it's justified. Sounds like he didn't ticket you though.

Really? they need to start hiring better law enforcement... Unfortunately policemen live in fear today. this is the cause of a lot of pointless arrests and media coverage. I feel for you. that is ridiculous! He should be pulling over speeders and drug dealers.