Skip to main content

Navigating a police traffic stop can raise even a seasoned driver’s heart rate. No one enjoys this aspect of motoring. To make a sticky situation worse, police tend to ask “gotcha” questions that–if you answer wrong–will have you admitting to knowingly breaking the law. The most classic is, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” And apparently the clever “I haven’t the foggiest idea” answer I always spout is the wrong one.

The lawyers at Walden Law offer legal advice online. They went over the classic “gotcha” questions police ask and the smartest responses–from a legal perspective. The old “Do you know why I stopped you today?” is a popular way for police to begin a traffic stop because if you say, “Yup, I was going 15 mph above the speed limit” you’ve just admitted to knowingly breaking the law.

You may know the Miranda warning line, “Anything you say can be used against you in court.” Well this is one thing you can say that will most certainly be used against you. Now I thought I was clever by just responding with, “I have no clue.” But that’s not what the lawyers suggest.

The precise wording the experts recommend is, “I’d rather not say.” Why? Perhaps saying, “Beats me!” could be evidence that you don’t know the laws, which is no excuse for breaking them.

The lawyer Scott McClintock disagrees. He doesn’t recommend anything like, “I have no clue, officer.” But says a simple, “No” is both sufficient and safe.

There’s a chance the police officer will push you to answer. They may ask a follow up question. Or they may just stare at you with the old raised eyebrow, hoping you blurt something out. But the lawyers have your back there too.

If the police officer asks you more, simply say, “I’m exercising my 5th amendment right.” This is because the 5th Amendment to the Constitution protects you against “self incrimination.” The wording is that no one can be “compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.”

Next, read about the other common ‘gotcha’ questions police ask during traffic stops, or see some smart answers in the video below:

Best in Tips, Tricks & Trends
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.