Cops don't belong in traffic enforcement
We can build safer streets without police.
Traffic stops target Black and brown people
Broken lights are often used as an excuse for cops to pull Black, brown & poor people into the criminal legal system. These traffic stops also often end in police violence. In 2020, 77% of traffic stops in DC for equipment violations were of Black residents, ending in ~200 arrests.
Traffic tickets trap poor folks in the system
A ticket for a broken brake light can be costly, especially for low-income households. And an unpaid ticket can snowball into a court appearance or worse.
Traffic enforcement doesn’t need to be done by cops
Cities across the country from Seattle, WA to Berkeley, CA to Cambridge, MA are considering moving traffic enforcement from the police department to the Department of Transportation (DDOT). The DC Council’s Police Reform Commission recommends this too.
Cops shouldn’t stop cars for minor infractions
The Traffic Enforcement Safety Act would ban cops from stopping cars for minor infractions like broken lights, noise, tinted windows, and exhaust. This would reduce traffic stops and help prevent cops from arbitrarily pulling over and harassing residents. In 2021, Virginia successfully passed a similar bill.
It’s time to rethink traffic safety
If your car has a broken light or exhaust system, a DDOT worker could help you fix it instead of an MPD cop fining you and threatening you with violence. DC could invest more in public transit, speed bumps, pedestrian-only zones, and bike lanes to reduce traffic accidents and reliance on cars altogether.