New York Considers Banning Traffic Stops for Minor Violations

A proposed bill in the New York state legislature seeks to ban police from conducting traffic stops for minor violations. The stated goal is to improve racial equity and public safety by reducing unnecessary stops, particularly targeting racial minorities who are disproportionately affected.

The proposal would prohibit stops for infractions like a broken taillight, expired registration, excessive window tint, or the smell of marijuana. Evidence obtained through stops violating the bill could be inadmissible in court.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/11/1200/675/mypd-car.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="A parked NYPD car." width="600">

Opposition to the Bill

The bill has faced strong criticism. Nassau County officials argue it's "pro-criminal" and would make roads less safe. Data from Nassau County shows racial disparities in arrests and traffic stops, with Black and Latino residents significantly overrepresented despite making up a smaller portion of the population. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and District Attorney Anne Donnelly, call the bill "ridiculous", highlighting that minor infractions often lead to warnings and that preventing such stops removes a crucial tool for addressing dangerous drivers and potential criminal activity.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/02/1200/675/nassau-county-police.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="Nassau County police vehicle" width="600">

Donnelly points to the 1993 capture of serial killer Joel Rifkin, whose arrest stemmed from a traffic stop for a minor violation. She emphasizes the unpredictability of traffic stops and argues that they are never truly routine, potentially leading to the discovery of serious crimes.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/04/1200/675/anne-donnelly.png?ve=1&tl=1" alt="Anne Donnelly" width="600">

The debate highlights the complex relationship between policing, racial justice, and public safety in New York.