Why are drivers stopped at the border going into California?
Picture courtesy reviewjournal.com via Google.
There is a border checkpoint on the Interstate 40 freeway that stops drivers going from Arizona to California (but not the other way). When I was a kid, they used to ask if you had any produce and then wave you through when you said No.
When I go through nowadays, I stop at the checkpoint. The guard doesn't say anything to me (or even look at me). After some time from 20 seconds to 5 minutes they wave me to go. They don't come out to my vehicle, ask me any questions or do anything that might seem constructive.
The couple of times that I asked what the deal was, the guy ignored my question and told me to go.
I have also stopped at the Nevada Border with similar results - no questions or any kind of inspection.
What are they actually doing anything at these checkpoints? Is there anything that I can do so I just don't sit there for a few minutes for no apparent reason?