Final answer:
During a traffic stop, circumstances may lead to the development of racial profiling, resulting in unequal law enforcement practices that disproportionately affect non-White individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Circumstances during a traffic stop may lead to developing racial profiling practices. Due to laws such as Senate Bill 1070, which allows officers to demand immigration papers based on 'reasonable suspicion' of a person being an unlawfully present alien, there has been an increase in concerns over racial profiling. Critics argue that this type of legislation can result in racial disparities in police practices, such as the likelihood of non-White individuals getting pulled over simply due to their appearance, a concept referred to as 'Driving While Brown.' Studies, such as those conducted by Jeffrey Grogger and Greg Ridgeway, have pointed to racial bias in traffic stops, especially when examining the ability to discern driver race during daytime versus nighttime.
Furthermore, the dynamics of authority during a traffic stop are significant in understanding citizens' reactions to police actions. A traffic stop can shift from a routine check to a situation where a citizen, especially from minority groups, feels the need to act submissively due to fear of escalation, highlighting an inequality in enforcement and authority engagement. In Terry v. Ohio, the Supreme Court ruled that police may stop and frisk a person based on reasonable suspicion without violating the Fourth Amendment, but this has been interpreted differently across various contexts, leading to broader implications for civil rights and community trust.