What should motorists expect at a traffic checkpoint?

Motorists should expect to potentially be stopped at a traffic checkpoint based on reasonable suspicion, as indicated by the correct answer. Checkpoints are generally established by law enforcement for various purposes such as DUI enforcement, traffic safety, or license and registration checks. During these checkpoints, officers are legally allowed to stop vehicles to assess compliance with traffic regulations and ensure road safety.

The concept of reasonable suspicion plays a crucial role here; it implies that officers have a justifiable reason based on specific facts or circumstances to stop a vehicle. This does not mean that every vehicle will be stopped, but motorists should anticipate that they may be asked to stop and provide necessary information.

Regarding the other choices, simply passing without stopping would violate the checkpoint's purpose and could lead to legal repercussions. The option suggesting an immediate fine is not accurate, as actual citations or fines typically result from observed violations rather than the act of stopping at the checkpoint itself. Lastly, while motorists may feel they can refuse to stop if they are not violating any laws, legally, they must comply with the requirements of the checkpoint, as failing to do so could lead to additional legal issues.