Final answer:
A police officer has the authority to inspect a vehicle's license plate, registration, and proof of insurance during a traffic stop. These inspections ensure road safety and lawful vehicle operation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When interacting with a police officer during a traffic stop, there are specific documents and items that the officer has the authority to inspect. These include the vehicle's license plate, registration, and proof of insurance. The license plate can be checked to ensure it matches government records and to identify the vehicle. The registration proves that the vehicle is legally allowed to be on the road, and proof of insurance demonstrates that the vehicle is covered in case of an accident.
An officer's power to inspect these items is part of routine traffic enforcement and helps maintain road safety. It also allows law enforcement to detect and prevent criminal activities such as driving stolen vehicles or driving without valid legal permissions. Hence, when asked by a police officer during a lawful traffic stop, a driver must present all of these documents.