Local law enforcement honchos say they’re not happy with a proposal in Annapolis that would stop police officers from pulling over drivers for minor infractions like a busted headlight, expired registration, or missed turn signal.
Those and other now-primary reasons for a traffic stop would be relegated to secondary violations under legislation now pending in the Maryland General Assembly. It means police action on a secondary infraction would only be legal after an officer has already detained a driver for a suspected violation of another offense.
Traffic violations relegated to secondary enforcement under the bills would include driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without evidence of registration, improper turning or stopping, wheel-spinning, excessive noisemaking, or driving in a bus lane.
The legislation, cross-filed under Senate Bill 292 and House Bill 635, also says if a police officer doesn’t comply with the rule, then evidence obtained in a traffic stop may be inadmissible in court. It also says noncompliance would be grounds for disciplinary action.
Sen. Charles Sydnor (D-44, Baltimore) is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 292. He was inspired to draft the legislation after a “distressing experience” being pulled over for a moving violation with his family in the car. It led him to pursue recommendations on more equitable policing.
“This particular officer was harsh. He was condescending. I felt as though he was attempting to emasculate me in front of my wife and girls. For what? Driving too slow in the left lane,” he shared in testimony Jan. 28 before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. “Not only did this unnecessary interaction have no public safety purpose, but it made my entire family feel unsafe.”
Awwww….. poor baby
“Broken Window” police theory…
Ask a cop how many times they pulled someone over for a minor infraction and ended up finding a major violation or problem.
Be polite – don’t break the law – no problem
If you broke the law, be compliant, don’t argue and be polite.
Not difficult
Nope, this proposal surely needs to go away. It’s tying the hands of the police even more.
Another one of multiple ridulous proposed bills introduced by the racist, anti-law enforcement liberal Charles Sydnor.
He’s a unlawful driver who just wants his way….