What should you do with your vehicle's interior lights during a night traffic stop?

Turning on your vehicle's interior lights during a night traffic stop is the safest and most responsible action to take. This practice serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps increase visibility inside your vehicle, allowing law enforcement officers to see that you are not a threat and that there are no other occupants who could pose a risk. This visibility can help to create a more transparent and comfortable interaction between you and the officer.

Moreover, keeping the interior lights on can reduce potential misunderstandings that might arise in a dimly lit environment. An officer approaching your car at night wants to ensure their safety, and having the lights on allows them to assess the situation clearly.

In contrast, turning off the interior lights completely can create an atmosphere of uncertainty, making it harder for both the officer and the driver to navigate the encounter. Dimmed lights might provide insufficient visibility, while leaving the lights as they are may not offer the assurance of safety and transparency that the officer is looking for.