Which factors establish reasonable suspicion to stop a vehicle?

• A. Observed traffic violation or suspicious criminal activity
• B. Driver's past unrelated offenses
• C. Weather conditions at the scene
• D. Request for directions from bystanders

Answer: (C)

Reasonable suspicion to stop a vehicle comes from observable facts that something illegal or a traffic violation may be happening. The most straightforward indicators are witnessing a traffic violation (like speeding, running a stop sign, or unsafe lane changes) or noticing suspicious criminal activity connected to the vehicle or its occupants. Weather conditions by themselves don’t show criminal activity or a traffic violation, unless they’re part of a larger pattern of behavior that raises suspicion. A driver’s past unrelated offenses don’t prove current improper conduct, and a request for directions from bystanders doesn’t indicate criminal activity or a traffic violation. So the factor that establishes reasonable suspicion to stop is observing a traffic violation or suspicious criminal activity.