Press Release: Disparities in Traffic Stops Persist in Vermont
Recent findings from an ongoing study reveal that Black, Hispanic, and Asian drivers in Vermont continue to be disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, even as overall traffic stops have decreased significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers, including Stephanie Seguino of the University of Vermont, highlight that Black drivers face an alarming stop rate 30% higher than expected based on their presence in the driving population, with Hispanic drivers being stopped at double their expected rate.
Despite a nearly 50% reduction in traffic stops statewide from 2019 to 2021, the rate in Vermont remains 2.5 times higher than the national average. The study documented nearly 93,000 stops in 2023, significantly surpassing the national average of 52 stops per 1,000 residents.
The researchers, who have been analyzing traffic stop data since 2014, stress concerns surrounding pretextual stops—those based on minor infractions and often used as a pretext to investigate other criminal activities—due to their susceptibility to racial bias. Data from 2022-23 indicates that even as arrests have decreased, Black and Hispanic drivers are still disproportionately searched and arrested, with Black drivers being searched almost twice as often as white drivers.
The issue of racial bias in policing has prompted discussions and training among law enforcement, leading to policy changes in some areas. For example, the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office recently ceased pursuing charges based on evidence gathered from non-safety-related stops.
Despite legislative efforts to address these disparities, new bills aimed at limiting unjustified traffic stops face challenges in advancing through the State Senate. As the nation grapples with racial profiling and discrimination, advocates emphasize the importance of ensuring fair treatment for all Vermonters on the roads.
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