Studying Racial Diversity in Traffic Stops and Outcomes: Lessons Learned in North Carolina (Video)

• NCJ Number: 188064
• Author(s): Matthew Zingraff; William Smith; Donald Tomaskovic-Devey
• Date Published: June 2001
• Length: 0 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Film
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NIJ Research in Progress Seminar; 75 minutes, VHS, color

Annotation

These presentations by three researchers cover the methods and results of a study of racial disparity and potential racial profiling in traffic stops and their outcomes in North Carolina.

Abstract

The research examined organizational and individual police officer and driver factors associated with racial diversity. The study used a multimethod research design. Data came from official records for calendar years 1998 and 2000, traffic stop data collected in calendar year 2000, a telephone survey of 1,500 licensed Black drivers and 1,5000 licensed white drivers, and focus groups of citizens and State highway patrol officers. The analysis considered both speeding and nonspeeding behavior and emphasized stops by members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on 14 highway segments about 10-15 miles in length. The research considered variations in driving behaviors, routine activities, and highways. It used a modified carousel method to determine the race and other characteristics of drivers who passed a research vehicle on the highways. Results revealed that speeding behavior was a strong determinant of stops. However, Black drivers were slightly more likely to be stopped for speeding than white drivers. Results of the analysis of nonspeeding stops indicated that Black drivers were more likely than white drivers to receive verbal warnings and citations for matters such as registration violations, although Black and white drivers had a similar chance of receiving written warnings. The racial disparity was greater for drug searches. Results of the telephone interviews indicated that white drivers drove more than Black drivers; that Black drivers used more safety-related practices when driving; and that Black drivers experienced more stops, especially by local police, after controlling for driving behaviors. The analysis concluded that driver demography varies across places, that observational studies are useful for verifying official records, and that findings from all the data collection methods point to small racial diversities for stops and larger diversities for drug searches. Charts, audience questions and answers, and sign language interpretation