A few days ago, the Boston Globe declared that a new study found that “Black drivers [are] pulled over in Boston at 2.4 times the rate of white drivers… in stark contrast to statewide research conducted by the Massachusetts public safety office that found ‘no support’ for racial disparity.”
It seems like almost half of these traffic violations could not be the primary reason that a driver is stopped. Can you really tell if any of these are the case unless they are stopped for some other reason? I may be missing something.
Driving after a license is revoked for being a “habitual traffic offender”—for such things as repeated drunk driving, hit-and-run accidents, endangering people’s lives through reckless driving, etc.
Driving after a license is suspended (including for reasons similar to revocation above).
Driving a vehicle with a suspended registration (including for not having insurance covering injury to others).
Driving an uninsured vehicle.
Driving without having first obtained a drivers license.
Driving without a license in possession.
Knowingly permitting someone without a drivers license or with a suspended or revoked license to operate a vehicle.
I write about cars and anecdotally I've been hearing a lot of stories about reduced traffic enforcement over the past two years. Even in states like Ohio, which is notorious for speed enforcement, speeds are up. Here in Michigan you used to be able to do 79 in a 70 mph zone without worrying about a ticket, now it's closer to 83 or 84. I see a lot more drivers going ~90 than I did before the pandemic. It's not clear if that's because of the pandemic or also because police officers are less vigorous in the wake of the George Floyd case, but anecdote aside, the actual statistics show an alarming increase in the number of black men killed in traffic accidents over the past couple of years.
Digger deeper into the reasons behind those 15 traffic violations might reveal that poverty contributes (if not the root cause of the) the violations, like not being able to afford insurance or registration or having money to buy a car. Are the routine stops in poor neighborhoods? Not excusing violations but it’s time to examine the role economics and systematic poverty plays in our public policies.
the evil offshoot of PC, which really needs to be addressed because its consequences are lethal. time to call a spade a spade.
This is just astonishing, even to one as jaded as myself. Brilliant work. Thank you.
This sickness in our culture will be the end of us.
It seems like almost half of these traffic violations could not be the primary reason that a driver is stopped. Can you really tell if any of these are the case unless they are stopped for some other reason? I may be missing something.
Driving after a license is revoked for being a “habitual traffic offender”—for such things as repeated drunk driving, hit-and-run accidents, endangering people’s lives through reckless driving, etc.
Driving after a license is suspended (including for reasons similar to revocation above).
Driving a vehicle with a suspended registration (including for not having insurance covering injury to others).
Driving an uninsured vehicle.
Driving without having first obtained a drivers license.
Driving without a license in possession.
Knowingly permitting someone without a drivers license or with a suspended or revoked license to operate a vehicle.
I write about cars and anecdotally I've been hearing a lot of stories about reduced traffic enforcement over the past two years. Even in states like Ohio, which is notorious for speed enforcement, speeds are up. Here in Michigan you used to be able to do 79 in a 70 mph zone without worrying about a ticket, now it's closer to 83 or 84. I see a lot more drivers going ~90 than I did before the pandemic. It's not clear if that's because of the pandemic or also because police officers are less vigorous in the wake of the George Floyd case, but anecdote aside, the actual statistics show an alarming increase in the number of black men killed in traffic accidents over the past couple of years.
I feel so bad I missed this. Zac don't give up. Write some more contributions. We love your insight.
Hey Zac - Do not give up, but keep posting, dude.
Out of curiosity are you still unemployed or have you found another job?
Chris Rock said essentially the same thing in a much more entertaining way:
"How To Not Get Your Ass Kicked By The Police"
https://youtu.be/uj0mtxXEGE8
Hi Zac -- any way to send you a question on the article for some clarification/thoughts. Much appreciated.
There are still far too many people who think The Bell Curve is fiction.
None of these people belong in a position of authority, education, or government.
Digger deeper into the reasons behind those 15 traffic violations might reveal that poverty contributes (if not the root cause of the) the violations, like not being able to afford insurance or registration or having money to buy a car. Are the routine stops in poor neighborhoods? Not excusing violations but it’s time to examine the role economics and systematic poverty plays in our public policies.