What is a routine traffic stop?

Momma_S

Can cops just pull over every 10th car to drive by if they want to? Doesn't there have to be some type of suspicion or actual law broken for a cop to pull you over? Or is "routine traffic stop" used loosely to cover the basic speeding, no seatbelt, and other common problems?

KGsky

To your first question, no.  There does have to be reasonable suspicion, which can be basic speeding, no seatbelt, missing/broken tail light, expired registration, inspection, running a stop sign, or they can set up a checkpoint at which all drivers are stopped to check for DUI, expired licenses, etc...

joecubed

when you read judicial opinions, "routine traffic stop" generally refers to the types of stops the KG mentioned first - headlight out, etc.  legally, the term is often used to exclude stops where police are chasing an individual suspected of more serious criminal activity.

mfield

A lot of times around here the cops set up checkpoints.  They don't give breathalyzers to every car that passes, but they do give quite a few.