Traffic Stops

Traffic stops can be very intimidating. Are they enforced fairly? I have worked as an investigator for the past 35 years and found that a very large percentage of people that are arrested get arrested during traffic stops. The issue is that law enforcement only needs REASONABLE SUSPICION that a traffic infraction occurred. What this means is that, say for example you change lanes without using your turn signal he or she (officer) can initiate a traffic stop. This is a minor offense but it gives that officer the right to search your car. A tail light that’s not properly working on your vehicle, a cracked windshield, a headlight that’s out, brake lights that don’t work are offenses that allow officers to conduct traffic stops based on probable cause.
I recall have a conversation with an officer and my question to him was “do officers have to meet a quota?” This is something that most of us have probably heard regarding police officers. The officers responded that in his department officers are graded (quota systems). I asked if meeting the grading metric was difficult to achieve. He said “no” and explained how it works. It starts with a traffic stop. He then gave me a litany of minor offenses that are needed to conduct a traffic stop. Again, they are as follows: probable cause (a tail light that not working, brake lights not working, tag light not working, changing lanes without using a turn signal, not moving over for emergency vehicles). As a private citizen, all of these things should be addressed and if applicable made operable or avoided to eliminate your chance of getting stopped by officers and possibly having your car searched and incurring another more serious charge. I was told by this officer that during traffic stops they almost always find more serious offenses that allow them (officer) to conduct an arrest. Some of the things that officers are looking for during traffic stops include drugs, weapons, wanted person (warrants), no proof of insurance, no driver’s license, and no valid registration of the vehicle (tag).

A research study conducted by Stanford researchers found that Black and Latino drivers were stopped more often than White drivers and these stops were based on less evidence of wrongdoing. Having worked in the area of criminal justice for the past 35 years I can say that the aforementioned communities do yield the highest volume of traffic stops. It is unfair. However, I do know that in those areas with high traffic stops officers usually find what they are looking for. I want to make it clear that I do not condone wrongdoing in any way and that people should not operate a vehicle on any street or highway without that car functioning properly and being legally covered with proper insurance and registration. If you use drugs (and I’m not supporting any illegal drug use), stay at home. If you are not licensed to carry a weapon leave it at home and get it properly licensed. No license to drive, don’t operate a vehicle on our streets. When driving your car make sure that you are covered with insurance, it protects you as well as others should an accident happen. Do the right thing so that if you are ever detained during a traffic stop you will be inconvenienced but not arrested.

Please subscribe to our platform at
VMGREVIEW.COM
Marvin Dixon/Founder
VMGREVIEW