What behavior might indicate a pretextual stop during traffic enforcement?

Panic reactions in passengers could indicate a pretextual stop during traffic enforcement because such behaviors may suggest that the occupants of the vehicle are anxious or fearful about being stopped by law enforcement. This anxiety can stem from various reasons, including the possibility of illegal activity or having a prior negative experience with police.

When officers conduct a traffic stop that may not be based entirely on valid traffic violations but rather as a guise to investigate potential criminal activity, these passenger reactions may be an indicator. The officers might notice sudden changes in behavior, such as fidgeting, looking around nervously, or other signs of distress, which could prompt them to question the reasons for the stop beyond the stated traffic violation.

In contrast, other options typically represent legitimate traffic violations, which do not inherently suggest that a stop is pretextual. Driving with headlights off or exceeding speed limits are clear violations that would usually warrant a stop, while frequent lane changes without signaling might indicate reckless driving rather than a pretextual intention.