5 Things Georgia Cops Look for During a Traffic Stop (That You Don’t Realize You’re Doing)

Most people think a traffic stop is just about speeding, a busted taillight, or rolling a stop sign. But for law enforcement, every stop is also a behavioral evaluation.

Officers are trained to watch for subtle clues—tiny movements, tone changes, nervous habits—that most drivers don’t even realize they’re doing. And in South Georgia, where traffic stops often lead to further investigation, those moments matter.

Here are five things officers look for the moment they walk up to your window… whether you realize it or not.

1. Your Hands — and What They’re Doing Before the Officer Reaches You

One of the first things officers note is your hands. Why? Because hands indicate risk.

Officers are trained to observe things like:

• Are you reaching around the car?

• Are you stuffing something under a seat?

• Are you searching through the console?

• Are you texting or fiddling with your phone?

Even innocent motions can raise suspicion if they look like you're hiding something or preparing for confrontation.

Best practice: Put both hands on the wheel where the officer can see them.

This communicates calm, safety, and transparency immediately.

2. Your Level of Nervousness — but Not in the Way You Think

Here’s the catch:

Everyone is nervous during a traffic stop.

Officers aren’t just looking for nerves—they’re looking for disproportionate nerves.

Examples of red-flag behavior:

• Heavy, rapid breathing

• Hands shaking uncontrollably

• Repeating the same statement over and over - and talking way too much.

• Over-explaining

• Avoiding eye contact entirely

• Offering too much information too fast

None of these prove wrongdoing alone, but they can trigger further questioning.

And yes, they absolutely can be indicators of impairment, leading to further investigation and requests to complete field sobriety testing.

3. Odors the Moment the Window Rolls Down (and sometimes before)

Officers are trained to detect odors that suggest potential illegal activity or impairment, including:

• alcohol

• marijuana

• chemical odors (like masking agents or burnt materials)

• strong air fresheners sprayed right before rolling down the window

A single whiff can transform a basic stop into a full-blown search.

Important to remember under Georgia law: The smell of marijuana alone has been used to justify a search of a vehicle if an officer can explain their training in detecting that smell.

4. How You Answer their First Questions

Spoiler Alert: You Probably Shouldn’t Be

Those early questions aren’t casual chit-chat. Officers ask them strategically to evaluate you are hiding something or are under the influence.

These include:

• “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

• “Where are you headed?”

• “Have you had anything to drink tonight?”

They’re listening for:

• hesitation

• inconsistent details

• overly defensive answers

• contradictions

• slurred speech

• rehearsed-sounding explanations

They compare your words, your tone, your body language, and your timing. A mismatch—even if harmless—can increase suspicion. You can choose to answer if you wish, but read on for best practices. You can be polite while still refusing to answer these questions that are only designed to incriminate you.

First: Your Legal Duties During a Georgia Traffic Stop

1. You MUST provide identification.

Georgia law requires you to hand over your driver's license when asked.

• O.C.G.A. § 40-5-29(a): A driver “shall display his or her driver’s license upon the demand of a law enforcement officer.”

Failing to do so can lead to a citation or even an arrest for obstruction.

2. You do NOT have to answer incriminating or investigative questions.

Questions like:

• “Where are you coming from?”

• “Have you been drinking?”

• “What’s in the car?”

These are optional.Declining to answer is not obstruction under Georgia law.

3. You CAN decline consent to search.

Georgia allows individuals to refuse a vehicle search unless officers have probable cause or another exception applies.

Take away: be polite. Hand over ID or tell them your legal name. Politely refuse to answer anything else. But if they ask you to get out of the car, get out. Officers are allowed to control your movements during a stop, and that includes ordering you out of your car.

5. Movements That Suggest You’re Concealing Something

Certain actions immediately raise a red flag:

• kicking or sliding your foot back like you pushed something under a seat

• leaning too far to one side

• repeatedly glancing at one specific area of the car

• hurriedly shutting bags or compartments

• guarding a pocket, purse, or backpack with your arm

These movements don’t prove guilt, but they do often lead to:

• additional questions

• requests to search

• K-9 units

• prolonged detention (if reasonable)

Your body communicates far more than you realize.

What This Means for You

You don’t need to be perfect during a traffic stop.You don’t need to impress the officer.You don’t need to “explain everything” or “act natural.”

You only need to protect yourself by understanding how officers are trained and by knowing your rights.

The safest strategy during any Georgia traffic stop is simple:

• stay calm

• keep your hands visible

• speak briefly and respectfully

• avoid volunteering extra information

• know that you can decline consent to a search

Your behavior can influence how the stop unfolds, but it does not determine your guilt.And if something goes wrong, your lawyer can address the legality of the stop, the search, and the officer’s conclusions.

As always, we provide these posts to educate you on your rights only. They are not a substitution for personalized legal advice as every situation is different. Always consult a legal professional and follow their advice as this article is not legal advice. And if you’ve been arrested or charged after a traffic stop in South Georgia, The Poole Law Group is here to help you navigate the situation with clarity, strategy, and strong defense from day one.