Not all traffic stops are created equal.

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Massachusetts has long dealt with serious racial disparities — especially when it comes to policing. A 2004 state-wide study found that two-thirds of police departments disproportionately pulled over Black and Latino drivers. Black and Latinx drivers are significantly more likely to be stopped and searched by the police than white drivers, but less likely to be issued any citation. In 2018, a study found that in parts of Boston, Black drivers are almost 15 times more likely to be stopped by law enforcement.

This is a public safety issue: Unequal policing actually makes the streets more dangerous for drivers.

Tell your state senator that we need accountability. It’s time for race data collection and analysis for every traffic stop to become the norm – not the exception.

Message Recipients:

Massachusetts State Senators

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As the Senate takes up S.2216 to address safe driving, I’m glad it will also reaffirm its commitment to equitable policing. I urge you to support the bill’s language establishing routine collection and publication of race data for all traffic stops.

Massachusetts has work to do to address racial disparities in policing. An independent study released in 2018 found that in parts of Boston, Black motorists are almost 15 times more likely to be stopped by law enforcement – and this over-policing isn’t limited to Boston. A 2004 state-wide study found that two-thirds of police departments disproportionately pulled over Black and Latino drivers. However, statewide reporting and analysis of race data lapsed after that study’s conclusion.

Message Body

Nearly 20 other states routinely collect and analyze traffic stop data already – including Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In the 21st century, collecting and analyzing data should be standard operating procedure in Massachusetts too.

Please vote to restore robust data collection, publication, and analysis – and make Massachusetts safer for ALL drivers.

Thank you,

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Not all traffic stops are created equal.

TAKE ACTION NOW

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