Which of the following is NOT a valid reason for stopping a vehicle?

Stopping a vehicle based solely on a drug courier profile is not considered a valid reason. While law enforcement officers can rely on drug courier profiles as part of their assessment, these profiles must be supported by additional, articulable facts that demonstrate reasonable suspicion or probable cause. A profile alone, without any specific behavior or evidence indicating illegal activity, does not justify a traffic stop.

In contrast, valid reasons for stopping a vehicle, like bleeding tires, traffic violations, or visible drug use, are based on observable conditions or actions that suggest immediate danger or illegal activity. For example, a traffic violation clearly indicates that a law has been broken, while visible drug use suggests a direct violation of the law that warrants intervention. Similarly, issues such as bleeding tires pose an immediate safety risk on the road, which provides a legitimate basis for a stop.