Been a cop since 1980. Out west, we ask "Do you know why...?" as a part of a scripted series of questions we ask
all drivers we pull over. We ask that, plus, "Is there any mechanical reason...?", "Were there any unusual conditions that required you to...?" "Are you on any medication...?" etc., etc. This script was developed over the years to stymie anticipated, popular protests in court.
Also, being out west, a female officer is just as likely to be
interested 
(and therefore, perhaps, a bit more lenient) in a fine, friendly, flirty female as a male officer. However, those gals who depend on looks and contrived charm to
get by in life will often find it works against them when stopped.
IMHO, the best thing you can do when stopped is to be cooperative and honest. Cops listen to more BS in one day than most people do in a lifetime. We have BS radar. Cooperation, respect and honesty will go far. It's not a guarantee of a pass, but it works better than any other method I've seen. In cop parlance, it's called
Passing the Attitude Test.
Yea, I know, many cops, themselves, would not pass.
I've had many tickets thrown out of court. Traffic courts by design are more lenient than criminal courts. I've had drivers bring in photos of intersections or traffic signs, etc. I've had "citees" claim I had no authority to write the ticket they received because I cited them at a location that was not within my assigned patrol beat (by law, I can cite someone anywhere in the state). It's all part of the game we call juris prudence. Bottom line, you may beat me in court on the ticket...but win or lose I still get paid
overtime $$$ just for being there.
Some of us actually love lawyers such as the one mentioned (Ms. Mucklestone) because the longer they drag out a traffic citation hearing, the more overtime we get (gotta' earn enough OT $$$ to buy a cold air intake and exhaust system for the Trac!)
and we also learn how to close these loopholes the lawyers identify.
The ultimate goal is not, as some may suggest, to increase revenues for my jurisdiction. It is not to harass, vex or annoy "innocent" (sure) drivers. I do not have a quota (I can write as many tickets as I like) nor do I get a new microwave oven as a prize for writing the most tickets in a month. The goal is to keep the morons off the road so our families can traverse the streets and highways in relative safety. For every driver who beats a ticket, there are a hundred who don't. Not a perfect system, but until something better comes along it works for me.
