COUNCILMEMBER ISAIAH THOMAS, STAKEHOLDERS CELEBRATE THREE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF LANDMARK DRIVING EQUALITY LAW WITH DATA DASHBOARD LAUNCH

The Defender Association of Philadelphia’s Driving Equality Dashboard makes government and police data on traffic stops more accessible to the public

City Council Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas on Monday celebrated the three-year anniversary of the implementation of his landmark Driving Equality law. Thomas and the Defender Association of Philadelphia marked the anniversary by introducing the Driving Equality Dashboard, a tool that the public and policymakers can use to better understand traffic stops in Philadelphia.

“We have made considerable so far in reducing the number of Black drivers stopped for low-level violations. Police time is scarce and should be focused on traffic stops that do have negative consequences for public safety, like red light and stop sign running, speeding, and other dangerous behaviors,” Councilmember Isaiah Thomas said. “Data transparency is essential to ensuring public trust in government and policing. I am proud to share this important resource that pulls back the veil on traffic stops in our city and enables the public to get a better understanding of traffic safety in our city.”

The dashboard reviews the incidence and rate of traffic stops, who is being pulled over, the reason(s) for the stop, and which police districts see the most traffic stops. Importantly, the dashboard shows viewers how traffic stops interact and impact other public safety measures – such as gun violence and the High Injury Network (HIN) . For example, in the year after implementation, the proportion of traffic stops Philadelphia police made along the HIN increased by 12.4% compared to 2021. Still yet, less than half of traffic stops occur along HIN roadways.

Driving Equality eliminated traffic stops for 8 minor motor vehicle code violations, allowing police to dedicate more time and resources towards enforcing dangerous moving violations that negatively impact public safety. The 8 violations affected are:

• Late registration (with a sixty day grace period)
• Relocation of temporary registration (must be visible)
• Relocation of license plate (must be visible)
• Missing a single brake light
• Items hanging from the rear view mirror
• Minor Bumper issues
• Driving with an expired inspection sticker
• Driving with an expired emission sticker

Since implementation in 2022, Driving Equality has been replicated in municipalities around the country. Most notably, Memphis city councilmember Michalyn Easter Thomas introduced a Driving Equality ordinance following the tragic passing of Tyre Nichols.

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