Washington State again - Bill to restrain cops on traffic stops

[Snattlerake]

Not a law yet but the way the legislature out there is going I think they are trying to out California, California.

Bill Would Prohibit Washington Cops From Stopping Drivers For Most Misdemeanor Warrants, ‘Nonmoving’ Traffic Violations​

https://policetribune.com/bill-woul...meanor-warrants-nonmoving-traffic-violations/
Proponents of House Bill 1513, dubbed the “Traffic Safety For All” bill, claim the proposed law change would increase public safety and combat racial inequalities, according to KING.

The bill would block police from stopping drivers for most misdemeanor warrants, “nonmoving” violations like broken headlights, expired vehicle registration, or for other equipment failures that might not pose an imminent threat to safety on the roadway.

“National and local data show that high discretion, low-risk traffic violations, including those that are unrelated to road safety, fall disproportionately on black, brown, and indigenous road users, as well as low-income road users and people with older vehicles,” the bill reads.

 

[HillsideDesolate]

Washington does have more Californians than Washingtonians. IIRC only around 20% of the state's population was born there. A warning for Oklahoma.

 

[OneMoreEvan]

I don't see anything wrong with it. Who's the victim if a license plate tag is expired? Where's the victim if someone's windshield is cracked? Who's the victim if a "third brake light" isn't working? I subscribe to the "Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone." mindset, no victim = no crime. Police should worry about more important things, like robberies, assaults, and other crimes that have actual victims

 

[HillsideDesolate]

I don't see anything wrong with it. Who's the victim if a license plate tag is expired? Where's the victim if someone's windshield is cracked? Who's the victim if a "third brake light" isn't working? I subscribe to the "Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone." mindset, no victim = no crime. Police should worry about more important things, like robberies, assaults, and other crimes that have actual victims

Yes everyone hates getting tickets, but the common traffic stop is at the core of police work. it is probably the number one way that criminals get off the street. Ted Bundy and Tim McVeigh (among others) we're caught due to traffic stops. The traffic stop is where you find warrants, drugs, ilegal guns, kidnapping victims and so on. Criminology 101, if someone is breaking minor laws, they are likely also breaking major ones.

 

[HarryBear]

The whole west coast needs to step up and grow a pair..... East coast also

 

[Snattlerake]

The most racist statement of the article.

“National and local data show that high discretion, low-risk traffic violations, including those that are unrelated to road safety, fall disproportionately on black, brown, and indigenous road users, as well as low-income road users and people with older vehicles,”

 

[HillsideDesolate]

The most racist statement of the article.

“National and local data show that high discretion, low-risk traffic violations, including those that are unrelated to road safety, fall disproportionately on black, brown, and indigenous road users, as well as low-income road users and people with older vehicles,”

It does make sense that the poors would fail to maintain their vehicles and older cars are more damaged.

Personally I have always been religious about vehicle maintenance even when I was a poor, because not having a working car (or getting a ticket) will make you even poorer.

 

[HillsideDesolate]

The article also mentioned expired registration. Maybe if Washington REALLY wanted to help the poor's they could reduce the price of car tabs. I paid close to $300 to for annual registration on a 10 year old Subaru. ( but it came with 2 "free" bus tickets, each good for one ride on public transit )

 

[2busy]

Washington does have more Californians than Washingtonians. IIRC only around 20% of the state's population was born there. A warning for Oklahoma.

Texas is taking over down here in se Oklahoma.

 

[Rez Exelon]

It does make sense that the poors would fail to maintain their vehicles and older cars are more damaged.

Personally I have always been religious about vehicle maintenance even when I was a poor, because not having a working car (or getting a ticket) will make you even poorer.

Those darn poors. They should just have more money to pay for their cars.