Excellent discussion
Agreed, tell the cop you're carrying unless your carrying illegally. Cops appreciate this as no criminaly inclined person would reveal that they're packing.
Also agreed, open carry is the most accessable but we have to make trade-offs.
here's where i give my vehicle tactics lesson. I recently had an excellent course and i'll impart on you some of the knoledge i picked up in that course.
I do not have issues drawing while in the drivers seat from 9:00 while seat belted, but i see where righties run into this problem. Having fired from vehicles in both positions starting from buckled in, the easiest solution for a lefty in the passenger seat or a righty in the drivers seat is to unbuckle your seatbelt. This is a neccecary step anyway, let me explain why.
When confronted with a potentially life-threating situation while in a vehicle there are three things you can do. Listed from most preferrable to least preferrable:
1) Run over what it threatening you
2) Drive away
3) Get out and fight
Unless you vehicle is disabled, do not do number three. cars are better weapons than guns and leaving alive counts as a win for good guys. If your vehicle is disabled or stuck in traffic and you have to get out and fight...you have to get out, therefore, you have to unbuckle your seatbelt. Cars are not cover. a 9mm will go through both sides of a car easy. Cars are also bullet magnets. Get out of the car and get to real cover or if no cover is available use the pseudo-cover of your cars wheel wells. Front wheel well is the best, rear is the quickest (rolling out of the door angles you towards the rear.) Always exit from the side away from the threat, dive over your center console if need be.
Fist fights are more common than gunfights period, hence the need for a force continuum. If you carry a gun, carry pepper spray and learn some basic combatives. It's not as good as being a martial arts master, but some basic moves and a little hot sauce can go a long way in turning the tables aginst Joe average road rager. In this situation the best thing to do once again is to drive away, however if you're stuck in traffic, or the car is disabled this isn't possible. Note that a fender bender does't mean your car is disabled. If somene gets confrontational at an accident, drive away and dial 911. It's not a hit and run if you can articulate that you left because you felt threatened. Being the first to call helps with that as well.
As a note, stuck in traffic isn't always stuck in traffic. leave ample room when you stop and always think about escape routes in the back of your head. Know what is drivable terrain for your vehicle. A sidewalk or someones lawn (even through their bushes) is drivable terrain for many vehicles and is fair game if you are in danger. If you are in mortal danger, don't be afraid to ram other cars to make an escape. You can explain it to the insurance company if you live.