Police traffic stops are the most common form of interaction between people and police, and, because of systemic racism in policing, they are particularly dangerous for Black people. In fact, in Connecticut, Black and brown people are disproportionately subjected to equipment and administration motor vehicle violations. Black drivers are almost twice more likely and Latine drivers are 1.5 times more likely to be stopped for an equipment-related violation compared to white drivers.
H.B. 7132, An Act Concerning Non-Safety Related Traffic Stops, is based on recommendations from the Police Transparency and Accountability Task Force, which help police prioritize road safety by allowing police to focus on actions that cause accidents and fatalities. This bill is crucial to addressing the enduring racial disparities that exist in traffic stops, particularly for Black and Latine drivers.
