Law Takes Effect January 1, 2024
Being brought to a stop can be unnerving, especially for drivers going through it the first time. Yet, due to new legislation, this should no longer be a fear as law enforcement must declare the grounds for the traffic interruption before demanding other queries.
According to The Hill, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2773, which will take effect on January 1, 2024. The new law is aimed at reducing the practice of “pretextual stops,” which, although deemed constitutional, involve law enforcement officers stopping a motorist for a minor infraction with the intention of uncovering more serious offenses, such as expired paperwork or possession of contraband.
Reckoning with the implication of stop-and-search requests, citizens seem to mobilise fear or anxiety when they witness law enforcement officials. More often than not, humble motor violations can quickly become a calamity and in certain circumstances it can be lethal. To limit further distress, legislation is designed to reduce confrontations between public individuals and policemen.
Despite the new regulation, an exception remains. Should there be a threat to property or life because of reckless driving in a motor vehicle, officers may apprehend without providing justification for the stop.
Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill was passed with a vote of 49 to 24 (seven members abstained) and the Senate with a vote of 28 to 10 (two members abstained) in order to “promote equity and accountability in communities,” as Holden stated during a legislative committee hearing.
The proposed legislation mandates that “law enforcement agencies must track adherence to the law and detail in reports the reasons for all stops that are conducted.” This is to ensure that law enforcement is held accountable for their actions and to ensure that the public is protected from any improper or unjustified stops. The bill also requires law enforcement agencies to provide detailed information on the reasons for all stops. This will allow for greater transparency and accountability in law enforcement activities.
Starting tomorrow (January 1, 2024), law enforcement officers patrolling the roads of California will likely be less daunting in their Ford Explorers. Although not required by the state, the utilization of body-worn cameras may further alleviate any intimidation. As motorists, we must do our part to obey police and obey road laws during a traffic stop.
Given the security benefits of this new statute, we eagerly expect other states to take similar action.
