OLYMPIA, Wash. – A bill aimed at reducing traffic stops by police had a House committee hearing in Olympia on Monday, January 30th.

It would bar police from making a stop for a non-moving violation like expired tabs, equipment failure or a misdemeanor warrant.

KL Shannon of a BIPOC advocacy group spoke in favor of the bill.

She says they surveyed people about traffic stops at a cultural event in Seattle last year.

“Half of everyone told us they experienced a traffic stop due to racial profiling, driving while Black, or other weak or non-existent reasons,” said Shannon. “Overall, we heard that people feel nervous, uncomfortable, harassed, targeted and scared for their life.”

But State Patrol spokesman Neil Weaver testified that non-moving violation stops can prevent serious threats to public safety.

“Up to eight percent of the DUIs that we have stopped from 2018 to 2022 originated out of a traffic stop for non-moving violations,” said Weaver.

He says that translates to over 5300 impaired drivers taken off the road during that time.

He also points out that seatbelt non-compliance isn’t considered a moving violation under the bill.

In addition to regulating traffic stops, the bill would create a grant program to help low-income drivers make repairs, pay fees and more.