What is the primary purpose of a "traffic stop"?

The primary purpose of a traffic stop is to monitor vehicle compliance with traffic laws and ensure roadway safety. When an officer initiates a traffic stop, it generally involves checking whether the driver is obeying various road regulations, such as speed limits, signal usage, and other laws designed to promote safe driving. This enforcement helps to prevent accidents, reduce traffic violations, and create a safer environment for all road users.

While conducting drug tests, collecting statistical data, and raising public awareness can be related to traffic law enforcement, they are not the primary reasons for initiating a traffic stop. Drug testing may occur in certain situations but is not a fundamental aspect of every traffic stop. Similarly, while collecting data and promoting public awareness are important for traffic safety initiatives, they do not directly relate to the individual stop of a vehicle, which focuses specifically on enforcing traffic laws.