The reason the cops ask this question is to solicit a confession. Most people think that by admitting to a little infraction, the officer will see them as being reasonable and go easy on them. The conversations go something like this:

Officer: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

Driver: "Sorry officer, I guess I was just going 5 miles over the speed limit"

And there you just confessed to breaking the law and have no further defense for the speeding ticket. The correct answer is to just politely turn the question back to the officer ("Hi, how can I help you officer").

>do you know why I pulled you over?

I never answer any question which speculates on why another human did a thing. It’s stupid and pointless, especially if the counter party is there. It’s basically saying “hey can you read my mind?”

Even if I knew I was speeding or whatever, I would still answer no to this question, because I’m not going to speak on the officer’s motives.

This question and all questions of the class “can you guess what I’m thinking?” Is always a game in any context.

Don't Talk to the Police: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE

One of the few 45+ minute videos I've watched on YouTube.

M.O. of cops in California: If they pull you over, keep your trap shut because they're always writing a ticket. Even during "training", Mountain View Police Department (MVPD) will pull people over at random to "practice" writing them tickets without any real crime or infraction having been committed. Cops are liars, thieves, and a mafia occupying paramilitary force.

I had an interesting conversation in CA with a cop that pulled me over regarding the [then] plausible legalization of shrooms. Apparently, there had been quite a bit of discussion among their rank and a civilized perspective of the inevitability had been reached. Damn shame those representatives of our republic didn’t have the nerves to see that one through.

Edit: pulled over for tail light, rest was just chatter ;)

Sounds like somebody has a hot button. It's just a question.

Answer "No I don't? How can I help you, officer?"

A new law seems like overkill.

In any other state, just feign ignorance.

Why is this worded as cannot rather than must not?

Can we get a law where cops mind their fucking business and leave you alone next

> The only time officers are not required to state the reason for a traffic or pedestrian stop is if the officer decides it is necessary “to protect life or property from imminent threat.”

Huh.

But cops constantly believe that their lives are imminently under threat. It's the only legally safe explanation for why they're always reaching for their guns. Soooo...then what happens?

Like what special circumstance is this exception imagining? Because it's hard to think of a scenario where withholding the information would lead to improved safety. "You have a broken tail light." "OH NO! HEARING THE WORDS 'TAIL LIGHT' TURNS ME VIOLENT!!!! DID YOU NOT SEE THE STICKER ON MY WINDOW TELLING YOU NOT TO SAY THOSE WORDS?! GRAAAHHHH!!!!"

Let's see if there are any free speech absolutists left.