Statement from State Rep. Greg Howard, the Ranking Member of the Public Safety & Security Committee on Enforcing Traffic Stops
Posted on March 6, 2025
Statement from State Rep. Greg Howard, the Ranking Member of the Public Safety & Security Committee on Enforcing Traffic Stops
For the last few years, there has been a push to end the ability for law enforcement to make traffic stops for secondary violations. I have been an opponent of ending these important traffic safety stops. These stops often lead to the discovery of more serious offenses, such as illegal firearms, outstanding warrants, or stolen vehicles.
Eliminating these secondary traffic stops could potentially reduce opportunities for law enforcement to intervene before crimes escalate. Limiting our state and local law enforcement’s ability to conduct stops may set a precedent that restricts police officers’ discretion in enforcing laws, potentially leading to broader challenges in maintaining order on the roads. Also, many Connecticut drivers only address minor vehicle issues because they fear getting pulled over. If secondary violations are no longer enforced, some drivers may neglect vehicle maintenance, increasing risks on the road.
The Public Hearing will take place on Friday, March 7th, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building. You can view the agenda by clicking here: http://www.cga.ct.gov/…/2025pha00307-R001000JUD-pha.pdf. Of particular interest is the tenth bill on the agenda, HB-7132, An Act Concerning Non-Safety Related Traffic Stops https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB07132&which_year=2025.