A bill is being tossed around the Maryland Senate building that would alter the way officers are able to conduct traffic stops for certain violations. This bill, Senate Bill 292, would change how people are pulled over for minor infractions such as driving without headlights. The bill is still very much a work in progress within the Senate, but if it gets passed, it would affect all law enforcement officers in Maryland, including local police departments and state police departments.
Those who support the bill say that it will reduce targeted traffic stops.
Predominantly, the bill is supported by leaders of color in the Senate office, and they believe the bill will reduce the amount of racial injustice that occurs on the streets with traffic enforcement. Essentially, the bill would mean that an officer cannot use certain minor violations as an excuse for pulling a driver over. They express that racial bias oftentimes interrupts these measures and therefore the driver is often unnecessarily targeted after the minor infringement. The convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders, Carl Snowden, shared that he has heard a number of stories from Black drivers who have been pulled over for minor issues but then had the traffic stop turn into a much larger issue while the officer is speaking to them.
Outspokenly opposed to the bill is a local sheriff in Talbot County.
Sheriff Joe Gamble believes the stops that would be prohibited are necessary for public safety. He said on the issue “If you’re driving without brake lights on your car, it’s dangerous for the people behind you. Without the ability to stop these vehicles, there’s gonna be a lot more accidents on the roads.” He further argued that these traffic stops often lead to the arrest of people with outstanding felony warrants. This is something that leads to the debate of the significance of the bill. The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office also stated they believe they may no longer be able to let people off with warnings if the bill is passed. The department gave a statement saying they will likely have no choice but to write citations for the specific infringements.
According to the WBOC, the following violations would be affected:
- driving or allowing an unregistered vehicle to be driven
- improperly displaying registration plates and tabs
- driving a vehicle without evidence of registration
- unauthorized use of registration card, plate, special plate, permit, or certificate of title
- failing to comply with turning, slowing, and stopping movements; failing to give required signals
- failing to give signals by hand and arm or signal lamps
- putting glass, injurious substances, or refuse on highways, bridges, or public waters
- engaging in skidding, spinning of wheels, and excessive noisemaking
- driving, standing, or parking a vehicle in a dedicated bus lane
- committing any forbidden act or failing to do any act required under Title 22 of the Transportation Article
- headlamp requirements
- tail lamp requirements; failing to properly illuminate rear registration plate
- stop lamp and electric turn signal requirements
- mirrors requirements
- safety glass requirements
- exceeding the maximum sound limits, when driving a vehicle on a highway.