Driving While Black

We need this important legislation to provide us with the data necessary to support what is currently largely anecdotal evidence regarding the disproportionate number of racial and ethnic minorities who are pulled over.

Limited studies done in the past indicate that approximately 72% of all routine traffic stops occur with African American drivers despite the fact that African American drivers despite the fact that African Americans make up only about 17% of the driving population.

This legislation passed the house on March 24, 1988, by a voice vote and with strong bipartisan support and must pass again- it is non-controversial.

It is difficult for our faith in the American judicial system not to be challenged when we cannot even drive down an interstate without being stopped merely because of the color of our skin.

Several states, with both Democratic and Republican governors, have already signed Legislation similar to the House and Senate “Driving While Black” bills into law. We need this legislation on a national level, as well, so that we can ascertain the full extent of the problem.