Here’s a novel idea:  Why don’t we stop allowing police to stop people for minor traffic violations.  Let’s stop traffic stops!  I don’t mean serious offenses like drinking and driving, reckless driving, dangerous driving, or running red lights.  The Supreme Court has given cops a free hand to make traffic stops with little or no review of police actions.  Violations like: having a broken tail light, failing to signal a lane change, etc. are all reasons a cop can stop you.

Would this make a difference in the relations between cops and people of color who get stopped at a higher rate than whites?

What we’ve seen is that a simple traffic stop can so often lead to something far more tragic—like death.  If cops didn’t stop people for minor reasons, maybe these deaths wouldn’t have happened.  What are some of the reasons to stop traffic stops?

—The threat to public safety by failing to signal a lane change is minimal.  The possible threat to the cop or the stopped person is high.  Is it worth it to stop people for minor offenses?

—Would a decrease in minor traffic stops create more driving fatalities or accidents?  Data about this says no.

—Minor traffic stops have been used for decades as an excuse to shake down people for fine money.  We know them as “speed traps.”  Unfortunately, they are used in areas where people are least able to afford the fines.  Although it does bring in revenue for cities, it also makes people in those communities mad.

—Some countries in Europe use radar and cameras to catch speeders and people running red lights.  Fines are assigned for clear violations—regardless of the race of the driver.  In the U.S. the idea of more cameras rubs us the wrong way.  Also, we have something called The Bill of Rights that protects our privacy—so we are very cautious about having cameras used against us.  Besides, even if your car is filmed running a red light, it’s impossible to prove that you were driving your car at that time in order to get a conviction

—Would minor traffic stops actually catch wanted criminals?  No.  It’s a rare accident if that happens.

What do you think?  Should we stop traffic stops?

Here’s an article by law professor, Christopher Kutz:  http://www.startribune.com/police-community-relations-let-s-end-our-love-affair-with-the-traffic-stop/321927221/  He’s got some good points, although for a law professor he forgets that we have the Bill of Rights in this country.  Cameras have been suggested for all intersections to catch people running red lights.  (I hate those drivers!)  The response has been opposition from many people—we Americans don’t like our privacy invaded.