The Pros and Cons of the Driving Equity Act of Philadelphia

Did you know why Philadelphia is the first major U.S city to impose a ban on minor traffic infractions?

Isaiah Thomas, a Philadelphia council member, drafted a law when he faced a traffic stop, which was purely based on racial bias. Later, Mayor Kenney signed this law as the Driving Equity Act, which officially came into effect in 2022.

So, what are the changes that this law brought about? Well, the cops would not have the power to stop a person for minor infractions. Added to that, they would also have to release traffic stop data publicly.

However, will this new act bring in any changes? Or will it bring in more adversities? Let’s explore this blog to find out.

What Changes did the Law Bring on Philly’s Streets?

According to the Driving Equity Law, the Philadelphia law enforcement officials are barred from stopping any drivers for these violations-

• Driving without any emission or inspection sticker.
• Driving with a broken taillight.
• Driving with a broken headlight.
• Driving with an obstructed view.
• Failing to properly display or maintain the visibility of your vehicle’s registration.

Just so you know, you can still receive a ticket for these violations. However, you won’t be stopped by the cops in Philadelphia for that. You’ll either receive your ticket in the mail or on your windshield!

Driving Equity Act: The Benefits and Drawbacks

Now that you’re aware of the law, let’s take a look at the various benefits and drawbacks that it comes with.

Benefits

• A ban on minor traffic stops might help avoid conflicts that sometimes escalate to become violent acts.
• Law enforcement officials might spend their valuable time addressing more serious traffic offenses that pose a danger.
• Since the cops are now liable to publicly release traffic stop data, it will help communities to hold the police responsible for any illegal stops.

Drawbacks

• Broken taillights or headlights might seem like minor violations. But ignoring these might just result in the occurrence of more accidents.
• Challenging a traffic ticket that you received via mail might become more difficult due to the absence of a police encounter.
• Some people might perceive that they don’t need any auto insurance policies. However, this substantially increases financial risks if they suffer from serious crashes.

Will this Make a Difference?

Since the concept of the Driving Equity Act originated from a long-standing discrimination of color in Philadelphia, it has, in a way, brought about a massive change.

However, even after the enactment of the law, traffic stops and resultant charges have not entirely disappeared from the scenario! Every once in a while, we at Logue Law Group receive cases that clearly indicate racial discrimination from the law enforcement officials’ end!

This clearly states that with every positive effect, there comes a certain negative impact which we simply cannot ignore. So, all we can do is approach this with optimism and hope that things turn out to be positive in the end.

Having said that, if you, or someone you know, has been stopped for a minor traffic violation in Philly, remember that you have the right to seek counsel of an expert Pittsburgh criminal lawyer. Just call us at 412-387-6901 or send an e-mail to sean@seanloguelaw.com to book a free consultation today!