"Maintaining calmness is crucial." Examining why traffic stops similar to Tyreek Hill's can sometimes pose risks
Numerous traffic encounters pass unnoticed. However, the prevalence of cameras has transformed these interactions into high-profile events between law enforcement personnel and motorists in recent times.
Hill ultimately was released and participated in the Miami Dolphins' opening game; he was acknowledged for careless driving and a seatbelt violation, as reported by the authorities. Similarly, a similar incident transpired this spring involving the world's top golfer, Scottie Scheffler, who was detained by traffic control officers directing traffic following a fatal accident. The allegations against Scheffler, who was suspected of inhibiting an officer, were subsequently dismissed.
Sadly, some encounters have had tragic consequences, particularly for individuals of color.
A 2019 analysis of nearly 100 million police stops nationwide revealed that Black drivers were 20% more likely to be pulled over compared to White drivers. A report issued earlier this year by the California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board indicated that 12.5% of traffic stops in the state in 2022 featured drivers assumed to be of color by the officers, despite the fact that Black citizens comprised merely 5.4% of the state's population.
The disparity is compounded by the reality that many recent unfortunate fatalities involving individuals of color stemmed from traffic stops. Hill hinted at this during an interview on CNN on Monday, considering how the situation may have unfolded differently if he weren't a famous individual.
"It's a fact. If I weren't Tyreek Hill, the worst-case scenario would have been '[Tyreek Hill] killed in front of Hard Rock Stadium,'" Hill said.
However, stops can be dangerous for both motorists and law enforcement personnel.
"It's something you have to consider when making a stop," said Charles Ramsey, the former Philadelphia Police commissioner and one-time chief of the Washington, DC, police. "You don't know the individual; you don't know what they may have done before you stopped them. So you must be cautious."
A threat to both motorists and law enforcement
For many, especially Black males, traffic encounters can be nerve-wracking – one they have mentally prepared for with each fresh headline about someone being killed by a police officer.
Phillando Castile was tragically shot in 2017 by a Minnesota officer who asserted that Castile supposedly reached for a weapon in the car instead of his wallet or ID. Daunte Wright was also killed in 2021 by a Minnesota officer following a traffic stop triggered by an expired license plate and illegal air freshener, after it was discovered that Wright had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. This week, three former Memphis, Tennessee, officers are on trial for the fatal 2023 beating of Tyre Nichols, which ensued following a traffic stop.
The danger, however, is not confined to those inside the car.
In February, a Tennessee deputy was fatally shot, and another injured during a traffic stop after dashcam footage indicated that the vehicle had crossed the center line multiple times.
"Officers being shot and killed, as well as being seriously injured during stops, is not uncommon," Thor Eells, executive director of the National Tactical Officers Association, told CNN in 2022, during a period of heightened cases where multiple law enforcement officers were severely injured during traffic stops.
‘De-escalation is crucial’
The dynamics of a traffic stop tend to begin with the reason for the initiation, stated Ramsey. An officer approaches the vehicle differently based on whether the stop was prompted by a traffic violation or if the officer suspects the vehicle was involved in another crime.
"The approach in such a situation would be vastly different than in a routine stop, in terms of where the officers stand, the way they approach their driver, getting any passengers out of the car, and so forth," he said.
However, when tension arises, "de-escalation is vital," and the initial step for an officer is communicating why they've been stopped, Ramsey added. It's also essential for an officer to speak calmly, and if the driver appears agitated, attempt to assuage them using verbal communication to some degree.
As for motorists, Ramsey advised his son, who recently received his driver's license, to stay in the car, keep your hands visible, lower your window, and remain compliant should an officer request your license and registration.
"Things usually calm down fairly quickly in most cases," he said. "Even if you believe you didn't commit the infraction, you can contest it in court later."
The American Civil Liberties Union advocates for drivers to stay calm and notes they have the right to remain silent, while stressing that the "burden of de-escalation does not fall on private citizens – it falls on police officers."
"You may be able to reduce risk to yourself by remaining calm and avoiding exhibiting hostility towards the officers," the ACLU says. "The truth is that there have been situations where individuals have done everything they could to put an officer at ease, yet still ended up injured or killed."
In light of the potential dangers during traffic encounters, motorists, especially Black males, often mentally prepare themselves for such situations. This apprehension is fueled by numerous high-profile incidents involving individuals of color being killed by law enforcement officers during traffic stops.
After a traffic stop, it's crucial for motorists to comply with the officer's requests, keeping their hands visible and lowering their window to reduce any tension. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, drivers have the right to remain silent during such encounters, and it's essential to maintain calmness to minimize risk.
