AAA Advocacy Helped Lead to a New Federal Approach for Traffic Stops

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced recently it is moving toward an approach to traffic enforcement that prioritizes traffic stops for safety violations like speeding and impaired driving rather than for vehicle maintenance and administrative violations. AAA's research will play a role in shaping this program.

Over the last two years, AAA has socialized research findings from other organizations about reducing stops for minor maintenance and administrative violations -- called pretext stops -- with multiple organizations and government agencies. This research has shown that reducing these stops mitigates overall traffic fatalities and injuries because it increases focus on serious violations that affect safety. It also addresses racial disparities in traffic stops. 

Only a fraction of a percentage -- .002 percent -- of vehicles involved in fatal crashes nationally between 2017 and 2021 involved vehicle maintenance issues listed as contributing factors.