During a traffic stop, it’s frequently the driver alone who has the most to lose for his or her driving offense, so it stands to reason that they would be the one showing signs of a reasonable level of anxiety. With that in mind, a noticeably nervous passenger — someone sweating, shaking, squirming in their car seat, staring ahead and avoiding eye contact, and other behaviors — can serve as a potentially powerful barometer of the level of “offense” you may be dealing with.
If you spot signs of high anxiety in someone who theoretically bears little — if any — responsibility for the traffic offense and has no apparent reason for nervousness, take note. It’s possible it’s not a traffic ticket they dread.
