A former FBI agent just exposed what cops are really fishing for when they ask where you’re headed during a traffic stop

Many Americans get nervous when they see police lights flashing behind them, even when they know they haven’t broken any laws. Some people worry because they’ve had bad experiences with police before. Others just feel anxious because there are so many traffic rules that it’s easy to accidentally break one without knowing.

According to Bro Bible, Steve Lazarus is a retired FBI agent who now shares advice on TikTok. He recently posted a video explaining three questions that police officers often ask during traffic stops.

Lazarus suggests these questions aren’t as simple as they seem, and drivers should be careful about how they answer.

These questions sound innocent but they’re not

The first question is usually something like “Where are you going?” or “Where are you coming back from?” Lazarus says this question can be tricky. He believes officers ask this hoping you might say something like you’re coming from a party, which could give them a reason to check if you’ve been drinking.

Lazarus thinks the safest answer is to politely say you’d rather not answer. However, he adds that if you’re coming from somewhere that makes you look good, like church or a volunteer job, you can decide whether to share that information.

The second question officers commonly ask is “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Lazarus explains that the officer already knows exactly why they stopped you. They’re just hoping you might admit to something extra or give them more reasons to investigate further. Instead of trying to guess, Lazarus recommends just saying “no.”

The third question involves searching your car. An officer might ask “Do you mind if I take a quick look inside your car?” Lazarus warns that this is another attempt to gather more evidence. He suggests clearly stating “I do not give you permission to search my person or my vehicle.” He also reminds people to stay polite but firm during these interactions.

According to the ACLU, everything Lazarus suggests is within your legal rights. When police pull you over, you have the right to stay quiet. You do need to show your driver’s license, car registration, and insurance papers if asked.

But you don’t have to answer other questions beyond that. You also don’t have to agree to let police search your car, though officers can still search it if they think they have a good reason to do so.

People in the comments section of Lazarus’s video shared their own stories about dealing with traffic stops, similar to how people have been sharing concerning revelations from experts in other fields.

The video is part of a growing trend of experts using social media platforms to share insider knowledge with the public, helping people make more informed decisions in everyday situations.