Episode: Traffic Stops — Your Rights

What actually happens during a traffic stop — and what are drivers legally required to do?

In this episode of Vegas Crime Files, Heidi Harris speaks with retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sergeant Tom Page, a 25-year veteran who worked as a patrol, traffic, and training sergeant.

Sergeant Page explains why officers stop vehicles, what drivers must legally provide, and the mistakes people make that can escalate routine traffic stops into dangerous encounters.

If you drive in Nevada — or anywhere — understanding how traffic stops work can help keep situations calm and safe for everyone involved.

• The two legal reasons police can stop a vehicle: probable cause and reasonable suspicion

• Why officers sometimes run license plates at stoplights

• What drivers are legally required to provide during a stop

• Why signing a traffic citation does not mean admitting guilt

• What happens if you refuse to sign a ticket

• When police can legally ask drivers to step out of the vehicle

• Why officers may temporarily use handcuffs during a stop

• The difference between a pat-down and a search

• How DUI investigations work, including field sobriety tests

• Special traffic enforcement issues unique to Las Vegas

Sergeant Tom Page (Ret.)

Former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sergeant with 25 years of service, including patrol, traffic enforcement, and officer training.

Most traffic stops are routine encounters. But misunderstanding your rights — or refusing basic lawful instructions — can quickly escalate a situation. Knowing what officers are legally allowed to do, and what drivers are required to do, can prevent unnecessary conflict.

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