[SoftTalker]

Every interaction I've had with the cops has been something like:

Cop: I pulled you over for speeding. May I have your license and registration please.

Me: (Hands over documents)

Cop: Where are you headed tonight?

Me: On my way home

Cop: Have you been drinking tonight?

Me: No sir.

Cop: walks back to his car, does whatever they do, comes back with either a ticket (which, honestly, I deserve) or a warning.

That's not to say there's never a situation where remaining silent and lawyering up is your best move, but I do not see how refusing to answer these questions or blustering about "my rights" is going to result in any better outcome in a typical roadside traffic stop.

[cryptonector]

If you're heading home then he'll want to know where from. Oh, a restaurant? Did you have anything to drink? I smell alcohol! Step of the car please. That's one way it can go, and then he can say you were wobbly on your step and now it's a DUI. People have gone to prison for DUIs where they blew a 0.0. You really have to gauge whether the cop is having a bad day and taking it out on you, then figure out how to best respond. I've had very little experience with this, so I can't quite tell you, but you'd want a lawyer's response anyways.