Most people would be wary/on high alert if stuck on the side of a freeway late at night. A ripe target for passing thugs looking for easy pickings. At that hour, anything other than a tow truck or cop car pulls up, any sane person would have a hand on their sidearm.
When I lived there, I hated 95 at night. The rest stops were downright scary. Would opt for the Turnpike when possible.
Of course, that was over a decade ago. I didn’t even have a cell phone. It might be better now.
25-35 years ago the cop could be excused for expecting the car to be a drug mule. But, I gather those days are over.